Alabama Dental Association (ALDA)
Your guide to organized dentistry in Alabama: membership, the annual meeting, local component societies, the state dental board, and CE/license-renewal requirements.
About the Alabama Dental Association
The Alabama Dental Association (ALDA) is the ADA constituent (state) society for Alabama, founded in 1869, and a membership organization of more than 1,800 Alabama dentists. It is headquartered in the state capital, Montgomery, at 836 Washington Avenue.
ALDA operates on the ADA tripartite model — joining ALDA enrolls a dentist in the national ADA, the state ALDA, and one of nine district component societies. Its work centers on advocacy at the Alabama Legislature (operating ALDA's political action committee, AL-D-PAC), continuing education, member benefits, and professional support. The association maintains an active legislative/advocacy presence on dental practice, insurance, and Medicaid issues.
Governance runs through an ALDA House of Delegates, an Executive Committee, and a Board of Trustees. The House of Delegates is composed of voting members across the nine district component societies, and it meets at least three times annually — two of those meetings are held during the ALDA Annual Session at the Gulf Coast Dental Conference. District (component) societies provide local representation and feed delegates into the statewide House.
Annual Meeting: ALDA Annual Session, held in conjunction with the Gulf Coast Dental Conference (GCDC)
Summer (July), at Gulf Coast resort venues — notably the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Miramar Beach, Florida. The 2026 Gulf Coast Dental Conference is scheduled July 8-12, 2026, at Hilton Sandestin Beach (Miramar Beach, FL).
The Gulf Coast Dental Conference combines ALDA's annual business/House of Delegates meetings with a continuing-education program and exhibit hall.
Component & Local Dental Societies
Joining the ALDA typically also enrolls a dentist in their local component society.Alabama has 9 component societies:
Mobile District
Mobile and the Gulf Coast
Second District
Montgomery region
Third District
Dothan / Wiregrass region
Fourth District
Jackson area (west-central / Clarke County region)
Fifth District
Gadsden / Anniston region
Sixth District
Tuscaloosa region
Birmingham District
Birmingham metro
Eighth District
Huntsville / Madison (north Alabama) region
Ninth District
Auburn / Opelika / Valley region (east Alabama)
Licensing Board
Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama
The board licenses and regulates dentists — distinct from the ALDA, which is a voluntary membership and advocacy body.
dentalboard.orgCE & License Renewal
- Hours: 20 hours (dentists); no more than 10 via analog/digital media, journals, internet/correspondence, or other distance-based education
- Cycle: Annual (Alabama renews annually, unlike most neighboring states' biennial cycles)
- Mandatory topics: Minimum 1 hour/year in infectious disease control; minimum 1 hour/year in ethical considerations in the practice of dentistry
Always verify current requirements with the Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama before renewal.
Dental Schools in Alabama
Alabama Dental Market Snapshot
- ~1,800+ ALDA-member dentists, concentrated in Birmingham (largest metro), Montgomery, Mobile/Gulf Coast, Huntsville/Madison, Tuscaloosa, and the Auburn/Opelika area
- Predominantly independent and small-group practices, with growing DSO presence in Birmingham and Huntsville
- Front-desk language needs are predominantly English, with a growing Spanish-speaking population in north Alabama (Huntsville/Albertville poultry corridor) and the Birmingham metro
AI Front Desk for Alabama Practices
Alabama's mostly independent practices — spread from Mobile to Huntsville across nine ALDA districts — run lean front desks where missed calls translate directly into lost new patients. An AI dental receptionist answers every call, books and confirms visits, and handles after-hours and overflow demand 24/7, helping ALDA-member practices grow without adding staff. Localizing to the Birmingham, Mobile, Montgomery, and Huntsville districts ties the message to where Alabama's dentists actually practice.
Alabama Dental Association FAQ
How many CE hours do Alabama dentists need to renew a license?
Alabama dentists must complete 20 hours (dentists); no more than 10 via analog/digital media, journals, internet/correspondence, or other distance-based education, annual (alabama renews annually, unlike most neighboring states' biennial cycles). Mandatory topics include Minimum 1 hour/year in infectious disease control; minimum 1 hour/year in ethical considerations in the practice of dentistry. Always confirm current rules with the Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama.
What is the difference between the ALDA and the Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama?
The Alabama Dental Association is a voluntary membership and advocacy organization for dentists. The Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama is the government body that licenses dentists and enforces regulations. Membership in the association is optional; licensure through the board is mandatory to practice.
Sources
- www.aldaonline.org/ — ALDA overview, 1869 founding, 1,800+ members.
- www.aldaonline.org/advocacy-center/alda-governance — nine district components, House of Delegates structure, annual session at GCDC.
- www.aldaonline.org/leadership-center/alda-house-of-delegates — nine district components, House of Delegates structure.
- www.aldaonline.org/about/al-d-pac.aspx — AL-D-PAC advocacy; HQ 836 Washington Ave, Montgomery.
- www.linkedin.com/in/michele-huebner-555718244 — executive director/staff reference.
- gulfcoastdentalconference.org/ — GCDC July 8-12, 2026, Hilton Sandestin Beach (Miramar Beach, FL).
- dentalboard.org/ — Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama (licensing).
- admincode.legislature.state.al.us/api/rule/270-X-4-.04 — CE rules.
- dentalboard.org/professionals/continuing-education/ — CE: 20 hrs/year dentists (<=10 distance), infection control + ethics 1 hr each; hygienists 12 hrs/yr.
- www.asdanet.org/index/get-into-dental-school/predental-resources/u-s-dental-schools — UAB School of Dentistry, Birmingham.
Explore dental associations in all 50 states, or see how the TensorLinks AI dental receptionist works.