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 underserved countries, or teach international dental colleagues how to deliver care themselves.

Health Volunteers Oversea (HVO)
The HVO Oral Health Training Programs, which are sponsored by the ADA, improve the availability and quality of oral health care through the education, training, and professional development of the health workforce in resource-scarce countries. This builds a sustainable program that will benefit the population long after the volunteer has departed. Find more information about active HVO oral health programs here.

Visit the ADA international volunteer webpage to learn about how to participate on an international volunteer trip, search a database of volunteer organizations recruiting dental professional volunteers and view upcoming international volunteer opportunities by month. 

Questions? Contact rowlandb@ada.org.

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.

Interested in Getting Involved in Leadership?
The ADA wants to better understand and broaden the pool of dentists who may be interested in a leadership role at the ADA. This form also captures interest in other ways of volunteering - such as being featured in ADA publications or be considered for research projects. Diversifying leadership is one of the ADA's Diversity & Inclusion goals. New dentists*, dentists from diverse backgrounds, and non-owners are encouraged to submit their information. Complete our new Volunteer Interest form today!

*Dentists who graduated from dental school less than 10 years ago. 

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.