Ohio Dental Association (ODA)

The Ohio Dental Association traces to June 1866, when 41 dentists convened at Naughton Hall in Columbus to form a statewide professional society then called the Ohio State Dental Society. Its founding aims included "mutual fellowship and recognition," advancing professional science and literature, encouraging more thorough professional education, and "the protection of the public from empiricism." Early members lobbied the legislature successfully for a state board of dental examiners, enacted in 1868 — one of the earliest dental practice laws in the nation. In 1914 the legislature expanded the board's authority over dental education, leading to recognition of the dental schools at The Ohio State University and Western Reserve University and the closure of private proprietary dental schools. The ODA celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2016.

Today the ODA's mission is to "advocate for, inform and serve the dental profession in Ohio." It represents more than 5,000 member dentists, roughly 70% of Ohio's licensed dentists, making it the tripartite ADA constituent for the state (members belong simultaneously to the ADA, the ODA, and a local component society).

Governance: the House of Delegates is the supreme governing authority. A seven-member Executive Committee serves as the managing body and meets five times yearly; it currently includes the President, President-elect, Vice President, Immediate Past President, Secretary and Treasurer. Numerous councils and committees of member volunteers support the association's work.

ODA member dentists collectively provide more than $40 million in donated care annually and are bound by the association's code of ethics. The ODA is active in state-level advocacy (licensure, scope-of-practice, dental insurance reform, Medicaid).