Hello, thank you for visiting the Wetaskiwin Family Dental blog. I’m Dr. Tim Mahoney. Along with my fantastic team, I have been providing quality dental care since 1983.
Today’s article is about the American Dental Association (ADA). You have probably seen the ADA logo on toothpaste and floss—but what else do you know about this dental institution?
The ADA’s self-proclaimed purpose is to improve the level of public oral health by supporting the dental industry through not-for-profit federal, state, and local chapters. It was established in 1859 and is run by its members, which currently total over 160,000.
The ADA Seal of Acceptance is not an endorsement of a product per se, but rather is a validation of the claims made by said product. Companies who want the ADA credential for a product must submit proof of rigorous scientific testing. Once submitted, the ADA re-tests the product to further verify results. There are currently over 300 products with the ADA credential.
The ADA does more than analyze dental products. Here are some other ways the ADA works to fulfill its mission:
- Provides resources to support dentists and their practices
- Educates the public about oral health
- Works to expand access to dental care
- Offers advice on important issues that influence the dental industry
- Works with other organizations on scientific research projects and public health initiatives
- Offers scholarships to dental students