Standards

Dental standards ensure that everyone is on the same page—those who design and manufacture dental products and the dentists who use them. Through comprehensive analysis, the ADA establishes baseline standards and technical recommendations for almost every tool of modern dentistry, from radiographic systems to sealants to manual toothbrushes.

Our mission is to ensure the highest level of patient safety and professional satisfaction through the publication of clear industry standards for both dental products and dental informatics. The ADA is the accredited dental standards body of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and also designated the official United States representative for the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee 106 Dentistry (TC 106).

Standards and Standards Administration

The ADA Standards Administration Department (DSA) manages two consensus bodies for standards development: the ADA Standards Committee on Dental Informatics (SCDI) and the ADA Standards Committee on Dental Products (SCDP). The ADA is also the sponsor and secretariat of the United States Technical Advisory Group to ISO Technical Committee 106 Dentistry (U.S. TAG for ISO/TC 106).

The ADA is an ANSI accredited standards developing organization. ADA standards have been approved as American National Standards by ANSI and thus they are designated as ANSI/ADA Standards. Further, ANSI is the U.S. member to ISO. The U.S. TAG for ISO/TC 106 determines the U.S. vote on all dental standards and provides this input to ANSI for ISO/TC 106.

Dental Informatics

The goal of the ADA Standards Committee on Dental Informatics (SCDI) is to help dentists streamline and empower their practices through the use of information technology. The SCDI develops standards for choosing the hardware, software and digital imaging solutions to create a fully computerized practice. 

Dental Products

Before you purchase new equipment, instruments or materials for your dental practice, consult the latest standards and reports issued by the ADA Standards Committee on Dental Products (SCDP). Volunteers work to produce detailed standards for almost every professional and public oral health product.  These standards help to ensure the health and safety of both the dental patient and dental professional by setting the requirements that will deliver consistent quality and effectiveness.  

International Standards

With the expansion of the global market in dental products and supplies, it’s crucial to have reliable international standards that ensure compliance and safety across borders. The ADA is the voice of American dentistry around the world.  All dentistry-related standards in ISO are handled through Technical Committee 106 Dentistry. ANSI has chosen the ADA to be the sponsor and secretariat of the U.S. Technical Advisory Group (U.S. TAG), which is the American voting body for all international dental standards. 

Purchase ANSI/ADA and ISO Standards

All ANSI/ADA Standards, Technical Reports and Technical Specifications for Dental Products and Informatics, along with all ISO dental standards are available online for purchase. Each standard is written by the dental profession for the dental profession and illustrates the ADA’s leadership in standards for safe and effective oral healthcare. All standards may be securely purchased and electronically downloaded for instant access or may be purchased in hard copy format and mailed. To view all of the standards available for purchase, visit the ADA Catalog.

John W. Stanford New Investigator Award

The John W. Stanford New Investigator Award was designed to encourage dentists and dental students to conduct standards-based research and standards development. Dental standards are developed by dental professionals to establish specific technical, performance and/or safety requirements for dental products.

Dental students and dentists who have earned their dental degree no earlier than 2008 are eligible to apply for the John W. Stanford New Investigator Award. Applicants are required to submit an original research report that could be published and must submit an explanation of how the research incorporates current dental standards and/or contributes to the development of dental standards. Applications are due by September 30, 2013.

The awards committee and the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs will select the winner which will be announced in December. The winner will receive airfare and a two night hotel stay to present their award-winning paper at the ADA SCDP and U.S. TAG to ISO/TC 106 on Dentistry Meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina in March 2014. The winners will also be announced in the ADA’s member publication, ADA News and their paper will be eligible for publication in a dental journal.

The namesake of this award, the late Dr. John W. Stanford, was a pivotal force in dental standards development for more than 40 years and was responsible for the establishment of the ADA’s current standards program.

• Download John W. Stanford New Investigator Award Informational Flyer
• Download John W. Stanford New Investigator Award Application

Questions?

You may contact us the following ways:
E-mail: standards@ada.org
Phone: 312-440-2506
Fax: 312-440-2536, Attn: Standards
Mail: Department of Standards Administration
American Dental Association
211 E. Chicago Ave., 4th floor
Chicago, IL 60611