- ADA.org
  Access news, member benefits and ADA policy
- ADA Annual Meeting
  Attend ADA's premier event
- ADA CE Online
  Access cutting-edge continuing education courses
- ADA Center for Evidence-Based Dentistry
  Find evidence to support your clinical decisions
- ADA Center for Professional Success
  Access member-only practice content
- ADA Foundation
  Investing in better oral health for all. Together.
- ADA Member Advantage
  Take advantage of endorsed, discounted business products
- ADA Store
  Purchase ADA products
- MouthHealthy
  Access oral-health information for the public and ADA Find-A-Dentist

- Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition
  Learn about ADA CERP recognition, look up CERP recognized CE providers and find CE courses.
- Commission on Dental Accreditation
  Explore CODA's role and find accredited schools and programs
- Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations
  Learn about the examinations used in licensing dentists and dental hygienists
- National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards
  Learn about recognized dental specialties and certifying boards

A base font size A medium font size A larger font size

Toggle Search Area

Toggle Member Links

- Login

Toggle Menu

Home
About the ADA
ADA Positions, Policies, and Statements
ADA Policy--Definition of Oral Health

e-mail Print Share

ADA Policy--Definition of Oral Health

ADA Policy--Definition of Oral Health

Oral health is a functional, structural, aesthetic, physiologic and psychosocial state of well-being and is essential to an individual’s general health and quality of life.*

[*Adopted by the 2014 ADA House of Delegates]