Montana Dental Association (MDA)
Your guide to organized dentistry in Montana: membership, the annual meeting, local component societies, the state dental board, and CE/license-renewal requirements.
About the Montana Dental Association
The Montana Dental Association (MDA) is the statewide professional membership organization for dentists in Montana and the recognized constituent (state partner) of the American Dental Association (ADA). It represents the interests of nearly 1,000 dentists across 'Big Sky Country' and works on advocacy, continuing education, and member practice support.
Because Montana is a low-population, geographically large state, the MDA is effectively the single statewide voice for organized dentistry — there is no separate large metro society dominating the landscape. Instead, the association is affiliated with ten local district dental societies organized by region, and member dentists belong to the tripartite structure (ADA national, MDA state, and a local district).
The MDA's stated work centers on advocacy at the state legislature, continuing education for members (including the annual meeting), and member benefits/practice resources. The 'What We Do' area of the site organizes activity around advocacy, continuing education, and member services.
Governance is run through an Executive Committee / Board of Directors, with the ten districts each seated by a district representative. As of 2025 the board roster lists district directors from the principal Montana population centers and Dr. April Foster of Missoula as president. Day-to-day operations are led by Executive Director David Hemion.
Annual Meeting: Montana Dental Association Annual Meeting (MDA Annual Meeting)
Late May; location rotates among Montana cities. The 2026 Annual Meeting is set for May 28-29, 2026 in Missoula, MT.
The MDA Annual Meeting is a two-day continuing-education and certification event drawing dental professionals from across the state, combining CE courses with the association's business meeting.
Component & Local Dental Societies
Joining the MDA typically also enrolls a dentist in their local component society.Montana has 10 component societies:
1st District
Kalispell / Flathead Valley region
2nd District
Missoula region
3rd District
Butte region
4th District
Great Falls region
5th District
Helena region
6th District
Bozeman region
7th District
Havre / Hi-Line region
8th District
Lewistown / central Montana region
9th District
Billings region
10th District
Scobey / northeastern Montana region
Licensing Board
Montana Board of Dentistry (within the Department of Labor & Industry, Business Standards Division)
The board licenses and regulates dentists — distinct from the MDA, which is a voluntary membership and advocacy body.
boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/dentistryCE & License Renewal
- Hours: 60 hours per renewal cycle (all may be completed by home study/online)
- Cycle: Triennial (every 3 years)
- Mandatory topics: No single mandated topic for general renewal; however, dentists holding a deep sedation/general anesthesia permit must complete 20 anesthesia-specific hours, and moderate sedation permit holders must complete 12 anesthesia-specific hours (counted within the 60). Courses must be from ADA- or AGD-approved providers.
Always verify current requirements with the Montana Board of Dentistry (within the Department of Labor & Industry, Business Standards Division) before renewal.
Montana Dental Market Snapshot
- Roughly 1,000 practicing dentists statewide spread across a very large, rural geography.
- Major metros: Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Bozeman, Helena, Kalispell, Butte.
- Practices outside these hubs serve large rural catchment areas.
- Demographics skew predominantly English-speaking; notable rural and tribal populations create access-to-care gaps, and long driving distances make scheduling efficiency especially valuable.
AI Front Desk for Montana Practices
Montana dentists, many of them solo or small-group practices covering wide rural service areas, face front-desk staffing challenges where every missed call can mean a patient driving hours elsewhere. An AI dental receptionist that answers 24/7, books appointments, and handles after-hours overflow lets MDA-member practices in Billings, Missoula, or smaller Hi-Line towns capture more patients without adding staff. Tying into the MDA ecosystem — annual meeting CE, district societies — positions TensorLinks as a practice-efficiency partner for Big Sky dentistry.
Montana Dental Association FAQ
How many CE hours do Montana dentists need to renew a license?
Montana dentists must complete 60 hours per renewal cycle (all may be completed by home study/online), triennial (every 3 years). Mandatory topics include No single mandated topic for general renewal; however, dentists holding a deep sedation/general anesthesia permit must complete 20 anesthesia-specific hours, and moderate sedation permit holders must complete 12 anesthesia-specific hours (counted within the 60). Courses must be from ADA- or AGD-approved providers.. Always confirm current rules with the Montana Board of Dentistry (within the Department of Labor & Industry, Business Standards Division).
What is the difference between the MDA and the Montana Board of Dentistry (within the Department of Labor & Industry, Business Standards Division)?
The Montana Dental Association is a voluntary membership and advocacy organization for dentists. The Montana Board of Dentistry (within the Department of Labor & Industry, Business Standards Division) 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.montanadental.org/ — MDA overview, nearly 1,000 members, ten district societies, ADA constituent status
- www.montanadental.org/who-we-are/contact-mda — Helena headquarters address & phone
- www.linkedin.com/in/david-hemion-44898a30/ — David Hemion, Executive Director
- www.zoominfo.com/p/David-Hemion/6241190 — David Hemion, Executive Director (corroboration)
- www.montanadental.org/who-we-are/mda-governance — board/district directors, President Dr. April Foster
- www.montanadental.org/what-we-do — association activities
- www.montanadental.org/what-we-do/advocacy — advocacy work
- withorbital.com/conferences/montana-dental-association-annual-meeting-2026 — 2026 Annual Meeting May 28-29, Missoula
- www.guidestar.org/profile/81-0169605 — MDA EIN/nonprofit profile
- rules.mt.gov/gateway/RuleNo.asp?RN=24.138.2104 — Montana Board of Dentistry CE rule
- www.netce.com/ce-requirements/dentist/mt/ — CE summary (60 hrs/3 yrs, anesthesia hours, no in-state dental school)
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