ADA Standards Program volunteers work together on documents that establish requirements for safe and effective dental products and technologies through a consensus-based process. The ADA has played a key role in the development of dental standards since 1928 and is an American National Standards Institute Accredited Standards Developer. The Working Groups that develop ADA standards are a diverse group of expert volunteers representing dental practitioners, industry, government and academia. Professionals from all areas of interest are encouraged to participate. Involvement is open to anyone who would like to contribute their expertise.
The following draft standards are available for public review and comment until the dates listed below.
If you have any questions, contact standards@ada.org.
ISO Adoptions
Adoptions of ISO standards must be requested by sending an email to standards@ada.org due to copyright restrictions. Instructions on how to access the document will be emailed to you along with a comments template. Comments are due August 21, 2026.
Proposed ANSI/ADA Standard No. 108, Dentistry – Amalgam Separators
Developed by ADA Standards Working Group 6.57: Amalgam Separators
This standard specifies requirements and test methods for amalgam separators used in connection with dental equipment in the dental treatment center. It specifies the efficiency of the amalgam separators in terms of the level of retention of amalgam based on a laboratory test and the test procedure for determining this efficiency. It also includes requirements for the safe functioning of the amalgam separator, for marking, and for instructions for use, operation and maintenance.
This proposed standard is a modified adoption of ISO 11143:2008, Dentistry – Amalgam separators and will cancel and replace ANSI/ADA Standard No. 108:2009, Amalgam Separators and its 2011 addendum.
Original ADA Standards Program Documents
The following documents are available by direct download. If you have comments, download the corresponding comments template, add your comments and proposed changes, and send to standards@ada.org by August 21, 2026.
Proposed ANSI/ADA Standard No. 1088, Dentistry – Human Identification by Comparative Dental Analysis
Developed by ADA Standards Working Group 10.12: Human Identification by Comparative Dental Analysis
This document specifies the requirements for identifying an individual by comparative dental analysis.
Download 1088 (PDF)
Download Comments Template (Word)
Proposed ANSI/ADA Standard No. 1120-4, Dentistry – Data Content Standard: Dental Explanation of Benefits
Developed by ADA Standards Working Group 11.15: Data Content Standardization to Support Mandated Administrative Transactions (in collaboration with Working Group 11.10 on Administrative Efficiency in Clinical Informatics)
This document identifies the necessary data content to be communicated between providers across all practice settings and payers of all types to ensure transparent exchange of adjudicated claim details at the procedure level of service. It specifies the required elements for generating a comprehensive dental explanation of benefits (EOB). It ensures that dental practice management systems, payer systems and intermediaries can produce and interpret consistent EOBs, improving transparency in financial obligations and dispute resolution. By adopting this standard, the dental industry can reduce administrative follow-ups, enhance revenue cycle predictability and improved provider-patient trust relationship.
This document does not prescribe or endorse any specific implementation methodology, implementation guide, or technology standard for its adoption. In addition, this document does not define or reference any operating rules associated with dental explanation of benefits including patient, provider, claim, and procedure details.
Download 1120-4 (PDF)
Download Comments Template (Word)
Proposed ANSI/ADA Standard No. 1120-5, Dentistry — Data Content Standard – Part 5: Prior Authorization and Predetermination
Developed by ADA Standards Working Group 11.10 on Administrative Efficiency in Clinical Informatics (in collaboration with Working Group 11.15 Data Content Standardization to Support Mandated Administrative Transactions)
This document outlines the implementation of a uniform approach for electronic predetermination and prior authorization of dental care services utilizing the X12 5010 TR3, 8010 TR3, 8030 TR3, 8060 TR3 Prior Authorization (278) formats (hereafter referred to as X12 278 TR3), and the HL7® FHIR® R4 DaVinci Prior Authorization Implementation Guide (IG). This document encompasses the recommended administrative transactions, referenced system interface specifications, CAQH data content, and core operating rules for the pre-dental care delivery administrative workflow between the patient, provider, and payer.
The scope of the dataset supports the following administrative workflows:
— Admission certification review request and associated response
— Healthcare services certification review request and associated response
— Extend certification review request and associated response
— Certification appeal review request and associated response
— Reservation of medical and dental services request and associated response
— Cancellations of service reservation requests and associated response
Download 1120-5 (PDF)
Download Comments Template (Word)