American Dental Association or ADA is a suitable supportive group
that sets a standard in dentistry by promoting and encouraging
appropriate oral health care. This group or association was formed in
the year 1859 with more than 152000 members. American Dental
Association has its base in Chicago, Illinois. It is the world’s most
significant and oldest national dental association.
There
are more than 400 employees working at the headquarters at Chicago and
the Association has its office in Washington DC. The Department of the
Division of Science of ADA has an agency – the Paffenbarger Research
Center (PRC), which is located on the campus of the National Institute
of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
The
scientists of this agency perform basic and applied studies in
cardiology, dental chemistry, clinical research and polymer chemistry.
In recent times, more than 350 manufacturers take part in the voluntary
programs organized by ADA and more than 1300 products have received the
seal of acceptance.
The American Dental Association has a
House of Delegates and the legislative body of ADA includes 460
delegates who successfully represent 53 constituent societies, 5
federal dental services, together with the American Student Dental
Association. The House of Delegates meets once in every year during the
annual session of the association.
The ADA has given formal
recognition to nine specific areas of dental practice. These include
dental public health, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial pathology,
oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics and dentofacial
orthopedics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics, oral
and maxillofacial radiology.
Have you heard about the Journal
of the American Dental Association? This monthly journal published by
ADA presents you with several dentistry-related articles. Other
publications initiated by the association include ADA News and the ADA
Guide to Dental Therapeutics.
The American Dental Association
constitutes a library with an excellent collection of 33000 books and
17500 bound journal volumes. The library even subscribes more than 600
journal titles. ADA even has a foundation, which offers grants for
dental research, education, scholarships, access to care and charitable
assistance curriculum.
The American Dental Association has
much to contribute both to the commoners as well as to the profession
of dentistry. ADA has helped dentistry reach a higher level by
increasing the wholeness and morality of the profession, strengthening
the relationship between the patient and the dentist and providing a
proper foundation to the membership for an effective and successful
practice.