The American Dental Association (ADA) was founded in 1859 to promote the oral health and access 
to dental care for all Americans.
During the past century and a half, this oldest and largest dentistry organization in the world has gained the respect of professionals and patients around the globe. According to the ADA, over 157,000 dentists from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are currently members. You can be sure that even a cheap dentist who is an ADA member in good standing has met the organization’s strict quality standards.
Mission and Vision
According to the ADA’s website, the organization’s mission is as follows: “The ADA is the professional association of dentists committed to the public’s oral health, ethics, science and professional advancement; leading a unified profession through initiatives in advocacy, education, research and the development of standards.”
This statement emphasizes the organization’s support for the enhancement of the oral health, as well as for the scientific innovations, that move these initiatives forward.
The organization’s vision statement underscores its key goals: “The American Dental Association: The oral health authority committed to the public and the profession.” Dentists become members of this prestigious group because of its long-standing reputation, as well as its emphasis on professional development.
ADA Programs
This organization is very serious about living out its mission and vision. One of the most tangible ways it does so is through its ADA Foundation, the charitable arm of the organization. The foundation provides grants for dental research, access to care for those in need, scholarships and educational opportunities for motivated or financially disadvantaged students, and relief grants for dentists and their families in dire need because of illness, injury or other catastrophic conditions.
Other ADA programs:
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- The ADA Library, another manifestation of the group’s commitment to ongoing education for all, is one of the largest repositories of dental literature in the world and makes its materials available to any ADA member who requests them.
- The Commission on Dental Accreditation, the national accrediting body for dental, advanced dental and allied education programs in the United States.
- The Journal of the American Dental Association, the ADA News and the ADA Guide to Dental Therapeutics are published to keep all members abreast of research and developments in the field.
Dentist Membership
If you are looking for a cheap dentist and interested in maintaining your oral health, do not ignore the importance of a dentist’s ADA membership. Finding a cheap dentist only makes sense if that person is also competent in his or her field according to the organization’s professional standards.
As you scour the Internet for a cheap dentist, be sure that the dentist you pick is an ADA member. This prestigious credential will help you choose the oral professional who will truly put your oral health first and furnish you with superior care.
