Florida Dental Association (FDA)
Your guide to organized dentistry in Florida: membership, the annual meeting, local component societies, the state dental board, and CE/license-renewal requirements.
About the Florida Dental Association
The Florida Dental Association (FDA) is the ADA constituent society for Florida, founded in 1884 by 12 dentists. It has grown into one of the larger state dental associations in the country, with more than 8,100 members. The FDA describes itself as a professional membership organization that helps members succeed by delivering programs, services, continuing education, and advocacy.
The FDA functions as Florida's voice in the ADA's national governance and represents the state as the 17th Trustee District in the ADA structure. It operates on the tripartite model: members belong to the national ADA, the state FDA, and one of six district dental associations (and, beneath the districts, local affiliate societies). The FDA coordinates statewide advocacy at the Florida Legislature on issues such as dental insurance reform, scope of practice (including dental therapy debates — e.g., HB 1173), Medicaid, and water fluoridation.
The FDA also runs significant affiliated entities: FDA Services (FDAS), an insurance subsidiary founded in 1989 that provides professional liability and other coverage to Florida dentists, and the FDA Foundation, its philanthropic arm supporting charitable dental-health programs (including mission-of-mercy style free care events). Governance follows a House of Delegates / trustee model with representation drawn from the six districts.
Annual Meeting: Florida Dental Convention (FDC) — the FDA's flagship annual meeting (often branded "FDC" by year, e.g., FDC2026)
Early-to-mid summer (June), historically at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, FL
The Florida Dental Convention combines hundreds of CE course hours, a large exhibit floor, and association governance, drawing dentists and staff from across all six districts and beyond. It is one of the largest dental meetings in the Southeast.
Component & Local Dental Societies
Joining the FDA typically also enrolls a dentist in their local component society.Florida has 6 component societies:
Atlantic Coast District Dental Association (ACDDA)
Treasure Coast / Palm Beach area (HQ contact 561.968.7714)
www.acdda.org/Central Florida District Dental Association (CFDDA)
central Florida / greater Orlando region
www.cfdda.org/Northeast District Dental Association (NEDDA)
northeast Florida / Jacksonville region (contact 904.737.7545)
Northwest District Dental Association (NWDDA)
Florida panhandle / Tallahassee–Pensacola region (contact 850.350.7181)
South Florida District Dental Association (SFDDA)
Miami-Dade / Broward / southeast Florida (contact 305.667.3647)
www.sfdda.org/West Coast District Dental Association (WCDDA)
Tampa Bay / Gulf Coast region (contact 813.654.2500)
Licensing Board
Florida Board of Dentistry (within the Florida Department of Health)
The board licenses and regulates dentists — distinct from the FDA, which is a voluntary membership and advocacy body.
floridasdentistry.govCE & License Renewal
- Hours: Minimum 30 credit hours of approved CE per biennium
- Cycle: Biennial; the two-year period typically ends February 28 of even-numbered years
- Mandatory topics: 2 hours controlled-substance prescribing (approved course); 2 hours medical errors; 2 hours domestic violence required once every third biennial renewal (i.e., once every six years); CPR current certification required via a live, hands-on course; sedation permit holders: 4 hours airway management + 4 hours medical emergencies every four years (with specific didactic/hands-on splits).
Always verify current requirements with the Florida Board of Dentistry (within the Florida Department of Health) before renewal.
Dental Schools in Florida
Florida Dental Market Snapshot
- ~17,000+ active licensed dentists statewide — one of the largest dental markets in the U.S.
- Demand concentrated across South Florida (Miami-Dade/Broward/Palm Beach), Tampa Bay/West Coast, Orlando/Central Florida, Jacksonville/Northeast, and the Panhandle/Northwest.
- Heavy DSO and group-practice penetration, plus a very large independent base.
- Major retiree population (high recall/hygiene and prosthodontic demand) and a large Spanish-speaking population; bilingual English/Spanish front-desk coverage essential in South Florida, with Haitian Creole and Portuguese also relevant in parts of the southeast.
AI Front Desk for Florida Practices
Florida is one of the highest-volume dental markets in the country, with 17,000+ dentists and a patient base spanning retirees and large Spanish- and Creole-speaking communities. An AI dental receptionist that answers every call in English and Spanish, books and confirms appointments, and triages emergencies 24/7 directly addresses the staffing and bilingual-coverage pressure FDA-member practices face. Tailoring content to the six FDA districts — South Florida, West Coast, Central, Northeast, Northwest, and Atlantic Coast — keeps the messaging tied to the real association ecosystem.
Florida Dental Association FAQ
How many CE hours do Florida dentists need to renew a license?
Florida dentists must complete Minimum 30 credit hours of approved CE per biennium, biennial; the two-year period typically ends february 28 of even-numbered years. Mandatory topics include 2 hours controlled-substance prescribing (approved course); 2 hours medical errors; 2 hours domestic violence required once every third biennial renewal (i.e., once every six years); CPR current certification required via a live, hands-on course; sedation permit holders: 4 hours airway management + 4 hours medical emergencies every four years (with specific didactic/hands-on splits).. Always confirm current rules with the Florida Board of Dentistry (within the Florida Department of Health).
What is the difference between the FDA and the Florida Board of Dentistry (within the Florida Department of Health)?
The Florida Dental Association is a voluntary membership and advocacy organization for dentists. The Florida Board of Dentistry (within the Florida Department of Health) 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.floridadental.org/about-us/who-we-are — founded 1884, 8,100+ members, 17th Trustee District, FDAS (1989), FDA Foundation
- www.floridadental.org/about-us/district-dental-associations — six district dental associations + affiliate societies, contacts
- www.acdda.org/ — Atlantic Coast district society site
- www.cfdda.org/ — Central Florida district society site
- www.sfdda.org/ — South Florida district society site (SFDDA annual business meeting May 12, 2026)
- floridasdentistry.gov/ — Florida Board of Dentistry (licensing)
- floridasdentistry.gov/dentist-renewal/ — CE: 30 hrs/biennium, controlled substances, medical errors, domestic violence, CPR
- www.floridadental.org/convention-ce/continuing-education/license-renewal — FDA license-renewal page
- www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2024/1173/Analyses/h1173c.HCA.PDF — ~17,193 active-licensed dentists in FL (2024)
- www.floridadental.org/convention-ce/convention — Florida Dental Convention (annual meeting)
- www.asdanet.org/index/get-into-dental-school/predental-resources/u-s-dental-schools — UF, Nova Southeastern, LECOM dental schools
Explore dental associations in all 50 states, or see how the TensorLinks AI dental receptionist works.