About ADAA

Mission Statement

"To advance the careers of dental assistants through education, credentialing, legislative advocacy, and professional activities that improve the delivery of quality dental health care."

Vision Statement

A community where dental assistants are respected and viewed as integral members of the dental team.

Serving over 20,000 dental team members, we know what it means to be part of a team. ADAA knows what it means to advance your career. There are many reasons to join the ADAA but unlimited free online education is a big one! Continuing education is important to your professional development as much as it is to your patients. It is also important to your dental team. Take advantage of all the ADAA site has to offer: networking with your peers, chatting, and more! The ADAA gives you many ways to enhance your dental career and there's no better way than to join today!

Who is a DA
Bylaws
Policies &
Resolutions
Ethics
Support

Who is a DA

Who is the Dental Assistant?

The Dental Assisting profession is a vital component of the dental healthcare delivery team. The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook lists Dental Assisting as the fifth highest profession that is expected to grow at a faster-than-average pace through the year 2031 (www.bls.gov)

The Dental Assistant position is highly technical skilled work responsible for working under the supervision of dentists with a wide range of tasks in the dental office, ranging from patient care to administrative duties to laboratory functions. Work involves assisting a dentist engaged in performing general dentistry practices such as diagnostic, operative, preventive, and other dental procedures during the examination and treatment of patients.

(Updated November 2022, some information retrieved from www.adaausa.org)

The dental assistant performs many tasks requiring both interpersonal and technical skills. Although state regulations vary, responsibilities may include:

Assisting the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures
Taking and developing dental radiographs (x-rays)
Asking about the patient's medical history and taking blood pressure and pulse
Serving as an infection control officer, developing infection control protocol, and preparing and sterilizing instruments and equipment
Helping patients feel comfortable before, during, and after dental treatment
Providing patients with instructions for oral care following surgery or other dental treatment procedures, such as the placement of a restoration (filling)
Teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health; (e.g., toothbrushing, flossing, and nutritional counseling)
Taking impressions of patient's teeth for study casts (models of teeth)
Performing office management tasks that often require the use of a personal computer
Communicating with patients and suppliers (e.g., scheduling appointments, answering the telephone, billing, and ordering supplies)
Helping to provide direct patient care in all dental specialties, including orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and oral surgery

Bylaws

Article I ‐ Name and Location

Article II ‐ Objectives

Article III ‐ Organization Structure

Article IV ‐ Membership

Section 1. Admission. Membership shall include those individuals who will support and
promote the objectives of this Association, regardless of diversity.

Section 2. Active Membership Categories. Membership may consist of the following
categories: Professional Membership, Student Membership, Life Membership, Federal
Services Membership and International Membership. ADAA’s Board of Directors retains the
right to review this from time to time and make recommended augmentations.

Professional Membership. Professional membership may be granted to any dental
assistant which includes, but is not limited to, the Clinical Dental Assistant,
Administrative Dental Assistant, and Dental Assistant Educator, or any individual with
a history of experience working in a dental assistant capacity, who will support and
promote the objectives of this Association.
1. A professional member shall have the privilege of voting, holding elective office
  and serving as chair or member of a council or committee.
2. Professional members shall pay annual national dues and state dues as
  determined by the designated state organization affiliated with this Association.
Student Membership. Student membership may be granted to any student enrolled in
a dental assisting program, or to a graduate of a dental assisting program enrolled fulltime
in either a program related to dentistry or in a college degree program, who will
support and promote the objectives of this Association. A student member shall have the privilege of serving as a member of a council or committee. Student members shall
pay annual dues.
Life Membership. Life membership shall be granted to a professional member who has
maintained continuous professional membership, or who has maintained continuous
professional membership interrupted by student membership, for a period of thirty‐five
(35) years and who will support and promote the objectives of this Association. All life
members shall have all of the privileges and benefits of professional membership and
shall pay National dues at a reduction to be reviewed from time to time and determined
by the Board of Directors.
Federal Services Membership. Federal Services membership shall be granted to only
those dental assistants who obtain membership through one of the United States
Federal Services branches having a contractual relationship with the ADAA.
1. A Federal Services member may be on active military duty or a civilian who is
  currently employed by a branch of the United States Federal Services as a dental
  assistant.
2. Federal Services members shall have the privilege of voting, holding elective office
  and serving as chair or member of a council or committee.
3. Federal Services members shall not be required to pay State dues.
4. Federal Services members shall receive benefits and services as outlined in the
  contractual relationship with the ADAA.
International Membership. International Membership may be granted to any individual
who resides outside of the United States and will support and promote the objectives
of this Association.
1. International Members shall pay annual dues in U.S. dollars.
2. International Members shall receive benefits and services as authorized by the Board
  of Directors.

Section 3. Conferred Memberships. There can be the following categories of conferred
membership: Honorary and Emeritus.

Honorary. Honorary membership may be conferred upon an individual who has
contributed substantially to the welfare of the dental assisting profession. To be
elected an honorary member, the individual shall be approved through a two‐thirds
(2/3) supermajority vote of the Board of Directors. Honorary members shall pay no
dues and shall have the privilege of serving as a member of a council or committee.
1. The ADAA shall maintain a list of every ADAA Honorary member for historical purposes.
Emeritus. Emeritus Membership status shall be granted to a professional or life member
who has maintained continuous professional membership or has maintained continuous
professional membership interrupted by student membership for a period of at least 25
years and has retired from the field of dentistry/dental assisting or has become totally
and permanently disabled and wishes to refrain from the privileges of ADAA
Professional Membership on both the National and State levels. Emeritus Members
shall pay no dues.
1. The designation of “ADAA Member Emeritus” may be used by the member for the
  rest of her/his natural life.
2. Emeritus members shall have the privilege of accessing all content published by the
  ADAA to include ADAA continuing education courses.
3. ADAA Fellows and Masters achieving emeritus status may also maintain their ADAA
  Fellow or Master designation.

Section 4. Tripartite.

A person applying for Professional, Life, or Student Membership in the ADAA shall be
required to maintain membership in a State Association of their designation.
1. A person applying for membership in a State Association shall be required to also
  maintain Professional, Life, or Student membership in the ADAA.
State Associations shall allow its members to organize into local component
organizations or member study clubs that have been established within the state laws
governing the supervising State Association.
1. State Associations shall assist local component organizations in the development of a
  governing structure for local component organizations.
  1. Such rules to govern shall not conflict with, or limit, the governing structure of
    the ADAA.
2. Individuals applying for membership in a local component organization or member
  study club shall be required to maintain membership in the ADAA and the
  supervising State Association.
A person attaining membership through the International Membership Category,
Federal Services Member Category or has been designated an ADAA Honorary
member or ADAA Member Emeritus shall not be entitled to membership privileges in a State Association or a local component organization.

Article IX – Directors

Section 1. Eligibility. Any ADAA Professional, Life, and Federal Services member in good
standing may serve as a Director. ADAA members who are also employees of the ADAA are
not eligible to serve as a Director of the ADAA.

Section 2. Nominations. Director nominees shall be submitted to the ADAA Office by a date
to be determined for a general election. The Nominating Committee shall solicit nominations
and confirm eligibility for all nominations received.

Section 3. Election. A general election may be by electronic ballot, in the established election
year, with each ADAA Professional, Life, and Federal Services member in good standing to
register to ballot for one (1) candidate. Two (2) Director candidates will be selected each
election year by majority of votes cast by the voting membership. In the event of a tie, a
runoff election between the tied candidates would occur to determine the two candidates
elected by majority vote.

Section 4. Term of Office. The term of office for all Directors shall be for a term of three (3)
election years. Directors may be elected to serve a total of two (2) consecutive 3‐year
Director terms.

An election year begins after electing the next slate of board members. The duration of
the election year shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
Board member terms shall be staggered with two (2) board members rotating off in any given election year.

Section 5. Duties. Directors shall be voting members of the Board of Directors and shall
perform the duties as adopted by the Association’s governing and procedural documents.

Section 6. Vacancies. In the event the office of a Director shall become vacant, the board of
directors, by two‐thirds (2/3) supermajority vote, shall appoint another ADAA member in
good standing to fill that seat for the remaining duration of term.

A director who has previously served two (2) three‐year terms may be appointed by the
Board to fill any Director vacancy.

Section 7. Removal for Cause. The Board of Directors, by a two‐thirds (2/3) supermajority
vote, may remove any Director from office for just cause.

Any Director shall be immediately removed from office when incurring a third absence
for any reason from a duly noticed Board of Directors meeting.

Article V – Dues

Article VI ‐ Board of Directors

Article VII ‐ Executive Committee

Article VIII – Officers

Section 1. Number and Titles. The elected officers shall be five (5) in number: President,
President‐Elect, First Vice President, Second Vice President, and Immediate Past President.
The President shall be the chief elected officer and official spokesman of the Association.

Section 2. Eligibility.Section 2. Eligibility.

Professional, Life, and Federal Services members shall be eligible to serve as an officer.
1. The President and President‐Elect should have served in a leadership capacity on the
  ADAA Board of Directors for a full term as an elected officer or Director. (A former
  District Trustee is considered an elected officer)
2. The First and Second Vice Presidents should have served in leadership capacities with
  the ADAA that may include, but not be limited to, councils and committees, state
  associations and/or components and local affiliates.
ADAA members who are also employees of the ADAA are not eligible to serve as an
officer of the ADAA.

Section 3. Nominations.

The nominating committee shall present a slate of one (1) or more qualified
candidates for each office to be filled.
In the event there are no candidates for office, the office shall be declared vacant.
Vacancies shall be filled in accordance to established guidelines of each respective
office.

Section 4. Election. A general election may be by electronic ballot, in the established election
year, with each ADAA Professional, Life, or Federal Services member in good standing eligible
to register to ballot for one (1) candidate for each elected office. The winning candidate will
be selected by majority of votes cast by the voting membership. In the event of a tie, a
runoff election would occur until one candidate assumes the majority of vote.

Section 5. Term of Office. The term of office for all officers may be one (1) election year.

An election year begins after electing the next slate of officers. The duration of the
election year shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
The elected officers shall assume their duties as determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 6. Duties. Officers shall be voting members of the Board of Directors and shall
perform the duties as adopted by the Association’s governing and procedural documents.

Section 7. Vacancies.

In the event the office of President shall become vacant, the President‐Elect shall become President for the unexpired portion of the term and shall serve a full term as President during the subsequent election year.
In the event the office of President‐Elect shall become vacant, it shall remain vacant for
the unexpired portion of the term. At the next established election, the office of
President shall be filled in the same manner as that provided for the nomination and
election of officers.
Vacancies in the office of First Vice President and Second Vice President shall be filled by
recommendation and a majority votes of the Board of Directors.
The role of Immediate Past President shall not be filled in the event of a vacancy.

Section 8. Removal for Cause. The Board of Directors, by a two‐thirds (2/3) supermajority
vote, may remove any officer from office for just cause.

Any Officer shall be immediately removed from office when incurring a third absence for
any reason from a duly noticed Board of Directors meeting.

Article X ‐ Annual Session

Article XI ‐ Councils

Article XII ‐ Contractual Employee

Article XIII – Finance

Article XIV ‐ Indemnification of Officers, Directors, Employees and Agents

Article XV – Dissolution

Article XVI ‐ Amendments

Article XVII ‐ Discipline

Article XVIII ‐ Parliamentary Authority

Policies & Resolutions

Policies & Resolutions of the ADAA

With the total revision of the ADAA Bylaws adopted by the 1979 House of Delegates and the subsequent revision of the Manual of Procedures, the Policies and Resolutions of the ADAA also required revision.

In the process of revision, all policies prior to 1974 were rescinded by the 1980 House of Delegates, and the revised forms of these policies were adopted by the 1980 House of Delegates. The policy statements and resolutions are indexed by topic. This document will be updated annually or as necessary noting the year of review in the title, and the year of adoption by the House of Delegates at the end of each policy statement or resolution.

This manual was updated as of November 2021.

Read the Manual of Policies & Resolutions

Education & Credentialing Policy

ADAA is the voice of dental assistants to the public and to all professional communities of interest. ADAA in collaboration with other notable professional organizations is working to advance and promote initiatives for quality care and patient protection in meeting the current and changing needs of the dental community.

Our ability to be flexible and open-minded in adapting to the evolving health care environment is critical to our future as allied dental professionals and to best serve the public.

The ADAA is focused on two major themes; more standardized credentialing and education of dental assistants.

Read the Education & Credentialing Policy

ADAA Principles of Professional Ethics

FOREWORD: The Principles of Professional Ethics lists legal and ethical guidelines expected by patients, employers, employees, and, in many areas, required by regulatory boards.

Cause no harm;
Uphold all federal, state, and local laws and regulations;
Be truthful and honest in verbal, financial, and treatment endeavors;
Recognize and report signs of abuse to proper authorities;
Assist in informed decision-making of treatment options; while respecting the rights of patients to determine the final course of treatment to be rendered;
Do not discriminate against others;
Support, promote and participate in access to care efforts through education, professional activities and programs;
Deliver optimum care utilizing professional knowledge, judgment, and skill within the law;
Be compassionate, respectful, kind, and fair to employers, co-workers, and patients;
Refrain from denigrating by word, print, or in electronic communication his/her employer, workplace, or colleagues at all times;
Create and maintain a safe work environment;
Assist in conflict management when necessary to maintain harmony within the workplace;
Strive for self-improvement through continuing education;
Strive for a healthy lifestyle that may prevent physical or mental impairment caused by any type of illness;
Refrain from any substance abuse;
Never misrepresent professional credentials or education.

Support the ADAA by Making a Donation

Dental assistants are integral members of the dental team. In addition to serving as the backbone of the dental office, these professionals ensure patients receive the utmost care and attention. Help the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) continue to foster an environment of growth, learning, and awareness with these two great giving opportunities.

Please consider making a donation to the ADAA. Your contribution supports dental assistants across the country.

Make a Donation

The purpose of ADAA is to advance the careers of dental assistants through education, credentialing, legislative advocacy, and professional activities that improve the delivery of quality dental health care.

Contributions or donations made to ADAA are not tax-deductible.

Contributions to ADAA support multiple initiatives across the association such as:

Membership outreach initiatives, publications, and communications
Dental Assistant Recognition Week activities
Research, legislative, and public awareness campaigns

Partnership Opportunities with ADAA

The ADAA, with its rich history spanning 100 years and a robust membership of over 4,400 professionals, stands as the oldest and most substantial Dental Assistant Association in the US. Our presence is further amplified on social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and X, where we engage an audience of 25,036, showcasing our high engagement rates and expansive reach. This blend of seasoned membership and dynamic social media presence positions the ADAA as an ideal partner to elevate your brand's visibility within the dental community.

View the 2024 Sponsorship Prospectus

Please feel free to reach out to us at drobinson@kellencompany.com. We're looking forward to discussing this opportunity with you in more detail at your earliest convenience.