1960s—ADA enhances members' insurance programs.

1960s—ADA lobbies on public health issues including Medicaid and Medicare.

1961—ADA first appropriates funds to assist in the re-training and licensing of Cuban dentists in exile.

1961—Representatives from the ADA participate in the United States Dental Exchange Mission. The group travels through out the Soviet Union meeting with dentists and touring dental facilities and schools. As part of the Mission, dentists from the U. S. S. R. also travel to the United States and visit ADA headquarters.

1962—ADA establishes accreditation program for dental assistants.

1963—ADA lobbies in support of the Health Professions Education Assistance Act; one-third of the funds are reserved for dental education activities.

1964—ADA breaks ground and begins construction on the headquarters building at 211 East Chicago Avenue.

1964—ADA Health Screening Program is developed.

1964—ADA produces the first color television public service announcement by a non-profit health agency.

1964—ADA resolves to move NBS testing and certification programs to the headquarters building in Chicago; two floors of the new building are devoted to laboratory facilities for the Research Institute.

1964—ADA establishes the ADA Health Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization for the purpose of engaging in dental health research and educational programs.

1965—ADA headquarters building at 211 East Chicago Avenue is completed and staff moves there in November. The building is dedicated in 1966 with a gala banquet.

1966—ADA Council on Dental Materials and Devices is established (name changed in 1979 to the Council on Dental Materials, Instruments, and Equipment and later merged with other councils to become Council on Scientific Affairs).

1969—The Family sculpture, created by Minnesota artist, Joseph O’Connell, is installed in the west court of the ADA headquarters building.

1970—ADA News is first published.

1971—ADA’s Salable Materials program introduces Dudley the Dragon to teach children proper oral health care. Dudley is featured first in a comic book and then, in the following year, in an animated short film. It is an immediate success and for the next forty years Dudley is continually featured in the ADA’s dental education program for children. In 1991 Dudley’s image is updated and he becomes a dinosaur.

1977—Court battle with Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

1977—ADA revises Principles of Ethics relating to advertising.

1978—Reorganizes the Council structure.

1978—Council on Dental Practice is established.

1979—ADA budgets for national print and television test marketing.

1979—The Commission on Dental Accreditation is established.

1979—ADA proposes to acquire a permanent location for its Washington, D.C., office.

Return to Top