Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) Selected National Partner Organizations (June 2021)
ASTDD and states interact with and use resources from a number of national organizations, including the following.
The AAP is a professional membership organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical sub-specialists and pediatric surgical specialists The mission of the AAP is to attain optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents and young adults. The Section on Oral Health is a group of pediatric dentists, pediatricians, and other allied health professionals interested in learning about and improving children's oral health through collaborative efforts. The Section focuses on educating pediatricians through multiple forums, advocacy for children's oral health, and improving relationships and communication between the dental and medical homes.
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD):Founded in 1947, the AAPD is a not-for-profit professional membership association representing the specialty of pediatric dentistry. Its 8,400 members provide primary care and comprehensive dental specialty treatments for infants, children, adolescents and individuals with special health care needs. The AAPD promotes evidence-based policies and clinical guidelines; educates and informs policymakers, parents and guardians, and other health care professionals; fosters research; and provides continuing professional education for pediatric dentists and general dentists who treat children.
American Association for Community Dental Programs (AACDP):AACDP supports the efforts of those with an interest in serving the oral health needs of vulnerable populations at the community level. Members include staff of city, county, and community-based health programs with an interest in oral health issues and access to care.
AAPHD provides a focus for meeting the challenge to improve oral health. Membership is open to all individuals concerned with improving the oral health of the public. AAPHD is committed to 1) Promotion of effective efforts in disease prevention, health promotion and service delivery; 2) Education of the public, health professionals and decision-makers regarding the importance of oral health to total well-being; and 3) Expansion of the knowledge base of dental public health and fostering competency in its practice.
The ADA is the world's largest and oldest national dental association, representing about 152,000 member dentists. ADA is 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.
ADEA is the leading national organization for dental education. Members include all U.S. and Canadian dental schools, advanced dental education programs, hospital dental education programs, allied dental education programs, corporations, faculty, and students. The mission of ADEA is to lead individuals and institutions of the dental education community to address contemporary issues influencing education, research, and the delivery of oral health care for the improvement of the health of the public.
ADHA is the leading national organization for the more than 120,000 registered dental hygienists (RDHs) in the United States. The mission of the ADHA is to advance the art and science of dental hygiene by ensuring access to quality oral health care, increasing awareness of the cost-effective benefits of prevention, promoting the highest standards of dental hygiene education, licensure, practice and research and representing and promoting the interests of dental hygienists. ADHA has a Council on Public Health.
American Institute of Dental Public Health (AIDPH):
The American Institute of Dental Public Health (AIDPH) was created in 2015 to promote and disseminate evidence-based health promotion practices to advanced education students and practitioners in dental public health. AIDPH serves as a platform for creative programming that centers health equity as a cornerstone of oral health education and training.
American Network of Oral Health Coalitions
ANOHC members are statewide oral health coalitions that promote lifelong oral health by shaping policy, promoting prevention and educating the public. ANOHC exists to create a reliable place for state oral health coalitions to share information, ask questions, and leverage time and resources.
APHA is the oldest and largest organization of public health professionals in the world, representing more than 50,000 members from over 50 occupations of public health. Oral Health is one of the 24 Sections that APHA members can choose to join. The Oral Health Section's members seek to promote oral health to a larger, multidisciplinary audience, partner with other human service providers, integrate oral health with overall health, have input into environmental and health care delivery issues, and disseminate research findings to the largest possible audience.
Association for Dental Safety (ADS):
ADS is dedicated to promoting infection control and safety policies and practices supported by science and research to the global dental community. OSAP is committed to identifying, developing and supporting leaders in dental infection prevention and patient safety. This includes educators, trainers, consultants, company representatives and all who share OSAP's vision of safe dental care for people everywhere.
AMCHP is a national nonprofit organization primarily of the directors and staff of state public health agency programs for maternal and child health, and children with special health care needs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and eight additional jurisdictions. In addition to state public health leaders, AMCHP members also include academic, advocacy and community-based maternal and child health professionals, as well as families. AMCHP builds successful programs by disseminating best practices; advocating on their behalf in Washington; providing technical assistance; convening leaders to share experiences and ideas; and advising states about involving partners to reach our common goal of healthy children, healthy families, and healthy communities.
ASTHO is the national nonprofit organization representing the state and territorial public health agencies of the United States, the U.S. Territories, and the District of Columbia. ASTHO's members, the chief health officials of these jurisdictions, are dedicated to formulating and influencing sound public health policy, and to assuring excellence in state-based public health practice. ASTDD is one of 17 affiliates of ASTHO.
A consumer friendly resource, The Campaign for Dental Health (CDH) was created to ensure every American has access to the most affordable and most effective way to protect teeth - water fluoridation. The website, hosted by the American Academy of Pediatrics, has been designed to answer the most common questions about fluoride, highlight interactive tools and resources, and features new content/news to help further the message of the importance of community water fluoridation.
CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
The CareQuest Institute is a nonprofit committed to building a future where every person can reach their full potential through optimal health.
Center for Health Care Strategies, Inc.
The Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) is a nonprofit health policy resource center dedicated to improving health care access, quality, and cost-effectiveness for low-income populations. It works with state and federal agencies, health and dental plans, providers, and consumer groups to develop innovative programs that better serve beneficiaries of publicly financed care, especially those with complex, high-cost needs. CHCS works with state and federal partners and other stakeholders to foster new opportunities for improving oral health access and delivery for Medicaid beneficiaries. They have an oral health section of their website.
CSTE is an organization of member states and territories representing public health epidemiologists. CSTE works to establish more effective relationships among state and other health agencies. It also provides technical advice and assistance to partner organizations and to federal public health agencies. CSTE works to advance public health policy and epidemiologic capacity as well as providing information, education, and developmental support of practicing epidemiologists. CSTE approves all indicators for NOHSS and has an oral health workgroup.
The core purpose of Delta Dental Plans Association is the advancement of oral health care to customers, partners and consumers through the dental benefits programs and philanthropic efforts of 39 independent member companies operating in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Dental Lifeline Network (DLN):DLN is a national humanitarian organization that provides access to comprehensive dental care for people with disabilities or who are elderly or medically fragile and cannot afford treatment. Through DLN's flagship program, Donated Dental Services (DDS), over 15,000 dentists and 3,600 laboratories nationwide donate comprehensive services. Since 1986, more than 120,000 vulnerable individuals have received over $250 million in donated care. The organization's website provides information for people needing help.
The Dental Trade Alliance Foundation supports innovative programs designed to increase the effectiveness of the oral health care system by encouraging changes in overall consumer behavior, improving access for the underserved population, and enhancing the efficiency of the oral health care system. https://www.dtafoundation.org/
Henry Schein is a Fortune 500 company that provides healthcare (including dental) products and services. Through their consultants and advisors, Schein helps providers deliver quality health care to patients, efficiently operate and grow practices, and increase financial return and financial security. Schein's Charter includes: furthering humanitarian relief and disaster response; increasing access to health care among underserved populations; strengthening wellness programs and volunteer activities; enhancing health care advocacy and education. They provide a number of services to special markets.
The Hispanic Dental Association is a national, nonprofit organization comprised of oral health professionals and students dedicated to promoting and improving the oral health of the Hispanic community and providing advocacy for Hispanic oral health professionals across the US. The Association works with a wide spectrum of individuals and organizations to communicate to Hispanic and non-Hispanic dental professionals, students, and the public.
International Association for Dental Research (IADR):IADR is a nonprofit organization with more than 12,000 members worldwide. Its mission is : (1) to advance research and increase knowledge for the improvement of oral health worldwide; (2) to support and represent the oral health research community; and (3) to facilitate the communication and application for research findings.
Medicaid/Medicare/CHIP Services Dental Association (MSDA)MSDA's mission is to contribute to the optimal oral health of state Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program beneficiaries by developing, promoting, and promulgating evidence- and best-practices-based state and national Medicaid/CHIP oral health policies and practices.
NACDD is a national public health association, founded in 1988 to link the chronic disease program directors of each state and U.S. territory to provide a national forum for chronic disease prevention and control efforts. NACDD works to reduce the impact of chronic diseases on the American population by advocating for preventative policies and programs, encouraging knowledge sharing and developing partnerships for health promotion.
National Association of Local Boards of Health
The National Association of Local Boards of Health (NALBOH) informs, guides, and is the national voice for boards of health. In today's public health system, the leadership role of boards of health makes them an essential link between public health services and a healthy community. Uniquely positioned to deliver technical expertise in governance and leadership, board development, health priorities, and public health policy, NALBOH strives to strengthen good governance where public health begins-at the local level.
The National Association of School Nurses supports the health and educational success of children and youth by developing and providing leadership to advance school nursing practice by specialized registered nurses. NASN has 50 Affiliates in 48 States, the District of Columbia, and Overseas. (NASN has an Oral Health Connections website that links school nurses to oral health and wellness resources.)
The National Dental Association promotes oral health equity among people of color by harnessing the collective power of its members, advocating for the needs of and mentoring dental students of color, and raising the profile of the profession in communities. Through scholarships and support programs, the NDA promotes dentistry as a viable profession. NDA goals and commitments are shared by its auxiliary organizations, namely the Auxiliary to the NDA, the National Dental Assistants Association, the National Dental Hygienists' Association and the Student National Dental Organization.
National Maternal and Child Health Oral Health Resource Center (OHRC):The purpose of the OHRC is to respond to the needs of states and communities in addressing current and emerging public oral health issues. OHRC supports health professionals, program administrators, educators, policymakers, and others with the goal of improving oral health services for infants, children, adolescents, and their families. OHRC collaborates with federal, state, and local agencies; national and state organizations and associations; and foundations to gather, develop, and share quality and valued information and materials.
NNOHA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization representing a nationwide network of dental providers who care for patients in Migrant, Homeless, and Community Health Centers. NNOHA's mission is to improve the oral health of underserved populations and contribute to overall health through leadership, advocacy, and support to oral health providers in safety-net systems.
National Network of Healthcare Hygienists
National Network of Healthcare Hygienists (NNHH) is a 501c (3) professional support organization for Registered Dental Hygienists who have a desire to see oral health integrated into healthcare systems. They offer resources and certificate programs in areas of medicine to support RDHs working in integrated settings, educating teams and patients, developing oral systemic prevention programs, and consulting with healthcare systems.
National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
NOSORH promotes the capacity of state offices of rural health to improve health care in rural America through leadership development, advocacy, education, & partnerships. The general purpose of each SORH is to help their individual rural communities build health care delivery systems.
National Public Health Information Coalition
The National Public Health Information Coalition is the premier network of public health communicators in the United States and U.S. territories. The group is committed to "making public health public" by sharing knowledge, expertise and resources to effectively communicate about the important health issues of the day helping people lead healthier lives in healthier communities.
The School-Based Health Alliance works to improve the health of children and youth by advancing and advocating for school-based health care. Our vision is that all children and adolescents are healthy and achieving at their fullest potential.
SCDA has a wide ranging membership that includes: dentists, dental hygienists; dental assistants; non-dental health care providers; health program administrators; and others. SCD had its origin in a federation of three long standing independent organizations: the American Association of Hospital Dentists, the Academy of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities and the American Society for Geriatric Dentistry. SCDA has reorganized and now is comprised of the Council of Hospital Dentistry (previously, the American Association of Hospital Dentists, AAHD), the Council of Dentistry for People with Disabilities (previously, the Academy of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities, ADPD) and the Council of Geriatric Dentistry (previously, the American Society for Geriatric Dentistry, ASGD).
