ADA has given itself a little pat on the back for its performance in 2007. Membership is up, efforts to improve America's access to care are underway, and amalgam and fluoridated water are still safe. (Not to mention that renovations to the ADA's DC offices have been approved!)
"The ADA has hit a home run this year in providing value to members and in serving the public," said ADA President Mark J. Feldman in a press release. Some of the notable achievements from the ADA website:
- Expanded the seal program to include a new product category (chewing gum) and awarded the first seal .
- Completed a laboratory evaluation of the fluoride content of commercially available infant formulas for publication in 2008 and commissioned a systematic review of the evidence on the risks and benefits of fluoride in infant formula.
- Lobbied Congress on numerous bills, including the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (to ensure that the IHCIA does not allow Dental Health Aide Therapists in the Community Health Aide Program to operate beyond Alaska); anti-amalgam legislation; increased funding for the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and a variety of dental training programs.
- Advocated for small business initiatives including small business loans for dental offices in underserved areas.
- Updated ADA's guidelines for the use of sedation and general anesthesia by dentists and the guidelines for teaching pain control and sedation to dentists and dental students.
- American Dental Association Foundation (ADAF) approved the disbursement of $155,000 in support of 80 scholarships to dental students.
For a complete list go here
