Get Involved

Help underserved patients close to home by giving your time and know-how.

Give Kids A Smile
Join 10,000 dentists annually bringing free oral care services to underserved children. More than 5.5 million children have received care since the program launched in 2003. Learn how you can donate your time and expertise.

Dental Lifeline Network
With 15,000 volunteer dentists and 3,700 volunteer laboratories, Dental Lifeline Network facilitates donated, comprehensive treatment to vulnerable people with disabilities, the elderly or the medically compromised. DLN seeks to reduce the more than 2 million U.S. emergency room visits attributed annually to neglected teeth, and has more than 11,000 people currently on a wait list. Learn how DLN can coordinate care so you can help someone near you.

Missions of Mercy
Missions of Mercy, through America's Dentists Care Foundation, are events coordinated at the local level to provide basic dental care such as fillings, extractions and cleanings, with some offering limited lab work.

Local Community Health Centers
Federally qualified health centers provide care, including oral health care, to individuals regardless of their inability to pay. Find a community health center near you.

Take your talent on the road. With basic equipment and instruments, you can help bring dental care to developing countries, or teach international dental colleagues how to deliver care themselves.

Apply for ADA Certificate for International Volunteer Service
U.S. based ADA members and student members who have volunteered internationally to improve the oral and overall health of individuals are eligible to receive a token of thanks from the Association. ADA International Relations is accepting applications through July 1. Nominations received after the deadline will be considered for the following year.

For application and specific criteria for applying for the certificate, please visit ADA.org/volunteercertificate or contact international@ada.org.

Health Volunteers Oversea (HVO)
The HVO Dental Education Programs, which are sponsored by the ADA Foundation, aim to teach others in developing countries through training and education to create an indigenous group of trained health workers. This builds a sustainable program that will benefit the population long after the volunteer has departed. Find more information about active projects.

See upcoming opportunities by month on the Trip Calendar.

Not sure how you want to help? The ADA Foundation offers tips, criteria and funding ideas.

 

Your professional experience can contribute to the future of dentistry. Get involved by testing new products, guiding professional curriculum or developing your leadership skills.

ACE Panel – ADA Clinical Evaluators
Help advance dentistry by sharing your opinions while learning new products and techniques that could benefit your patients. The ACE Panel brings first-hand, day-to-day experiences of practicing member dentists to evaluate new devices and materials. Find out how you can advance the profession through the ACE Panel.

ADA Institute for Diversity in Leadership
Grow your leadership skills and gain leadership experience – all while strengthening your professional network. Every year, the ADA Institute for Diversity in Leadership accepts sixteen U.S. from traditionally underrepresented racial, ethnic and/or gender groups to participate in this unique program. See the upcoming deadlines and details.

Center for Professional Success Community Group
What are your major practice concerns? What tools do you need to improve your practice? Join the Center for Professional Success Community Group to help set the direction and identify what types of materials are developed for dentists at all stages of their practice. Contact us to get involved.

Your input is tremendously important in determining the feasibility and strength of new policies and standards. Many of these opportunities require a minimal time commitment, and you can opt in as your interests and schedule dictate.

Standards Development
The ADA has two committees dedicated to developing and reviewing standards for a changing industry. The ADA Standards Committee on Dental Products and the ADA Standards Committee on Dental Informatics include working groups of volunteers from the profession, the industry, academia and government. Apply to provide your input and help advance future standards.