Oregon Dental Association (ODA)
Your guide to organized dentistry in Oregon: membership, the annual meeting, local component societies, the state dental board, and CE/license-renewal requirements.
About the Oregon Dental Association
The Oregon Dental Association (ODA), established in 1893, is a voluntary membership organization for Oregon dentists and the Oregon constituent of the American Dental Association (ADA), which serves as its national parent body. ODA is comprised of local/component dental societies across the state that deliver continuing education and service programs in their communities.
ODA's work spans continuing education, legislative and regulatory advocacy, member practice resources, and public information promoting good oral health. The association is led day-to-day by Executive Director Barry Taylor, DMD, CAE, while the presidency rotates annually — Amberena Fairlee, DMD serves as the 2026 President. Governance runs through an ODA Board of Trustees with representation from the component societies.
The association is headquartered in Wilsonville (Portland metro) and also operates affiliated charitable efforts such as the Dental Foundation of Oregon, which supports access-to-care programs for underserved Oregonians.
Annual Meeting: Oregon Dental Conference (ODC)
Held annually in spring (April) at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland; the 2026 ODC runs April 9–11, 2026
ODC is the ODA's flagship annual meeting and the largest dental conference in Oregon, pairing a multi-day CE program with a dental products exhibit hall and special events; ~2,000 dental professionals expected.
Component & Local Dental Societies
Joining the ODA typically also enrolls a dentist in their local component society.Oregon has 14 component societies:
Central Oregon Dental Society
Central Oregon (Bend area)
Clackamas County Dental Society
Portland metro / Willamette Valley
Clatsop County Dental Society
Northwest coast (Astoria area)
Coastal Cascades Dentist Society
Lane County / southern Willamette
Eastern Oregon Dental Society
Eastern Oregon
Klamath County Dental Society
South-central Oregon (Klamath Falls)
Marion Polk Dental Society
Salem area / Willamette Valley
Mid-Columbia Dental Society
Columbia Gorge (Hood River / The Dalles)
Multnomah Dental Society
Portland / Multnomah County
Rogue Valley Dental Society
Southern Oregon (Medford area)
Southern Oregon Dental Society
Jackson County area
Southwestern Oregon Dental Society
Coos County / south coast
Umpqua Dental Society
Douglas County (Roseburg)
Washington County Dental Society
Washington County / Portland Metro
Licensing Board
Oregon Board of Dentistry
The board licenses and regulates dentists — distinct from the ODA, which is a voluntary membership and advocacy body.
www.oregon.gov/dentistryCE & License Renewal
- Hours: 40 hours, directly related to clinical patient care or dental public health
- Cycle: Biennial (every 2 years)
- Mandatory topics: ≥3 hours on medical emergencies in the dental office; ≥2 hours infection control; ≥2 hours cultural competency (effective Jan 1, 2021); a 1-hour Oregon-specific pain management course (from the Oregon Health Authority Pain Management Commission); plus current Healthcare Provider BLS/CPR certification
Always verify current requirements with the Oregon Board of Dentistry before renewal.
Dental Schools in Oregon
Oregon Dental Market Snapshot
- ~2,693 licensed dentists statewide (2023). ODA membership of ~2,300 implies relatively high organized-dentistry penetration.
- Major metros: Portland metro (Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas counties) is the center of gravity, followed by Salem, Eugene, Bend, and Medford. Many rural counties are served by small component societies.
- Predominantly English-speaking with a growing Spanish-speaking population (notably in the Willamette Valley and agricultural regions). Cultural-competency CE is now mandatory, reflecting the state's diversity focus.
AI Front Desk for Oregon Practices
Oregon's dental market mixes a dense Portland-metro core with many small-town and rural practices spread across the Willamette Valley, coast, and high desert. An AI dental receptionist helps these offices — especially solo and small-group practices without large front-desk teams — answer every call, schedule and confirm appointments, and serve Spanish-speaking patients, while staying plugged into the ODA and Oregon Dental Conference community.
Oregon Dental Association FAQ
How many CE hours do Oregon dentists need to renew a license?
Oregon dentists must complete 40 hours, directly related to clinical patient care or dental public health, biennial (every 2 years). Mandatory topics include ≥3 hours on medical emergencies in the dental office; ≥2 hours infection control; ≥2 hours cultural competency (effective Jan 1, 2021); a 1-hour Oregon-specific pain management course (from the Oregon Health Authority Pain Management Commission); plus current Healthcare Provider BLS/CPR certification. Always confirm current rules with the Oregon Board of Dentistry.
What is the difference between the ODA and the Oregon Board of Dentistry?
The Oregon Dental Association is a voluntary membership and advocacy organization for dentists. The Oregon Board of Dentistry 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
- archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:80444/xv875448 — ODA records, founding/history
- www.oregondental.org/about-us — ODA founded 1893, ADA parent, 16 component societies, services
- www.yelp.com/biz/oregon-dental-association-wilsoville — Wilsonville HQ address (cross-ref)
- www.oregondental.org/about-us/contact-us — address 8699 SW Sun Place, Wilsonville; ~2,300 members (2020)
- www.thelundreport.org/content/press-release-oregon-dental-association-welcomes-barry-taylor-dmd-executive-director — Barry Taylor, DMD, Executive Director
- www.oregondental-digital.com/odam/0126_december_january_2026/ — Amberena Fairlee, DMD, 2026 President
- www.beckersdental.com/benchmarking/42882-number-of-dentists-in-all-50-states-in-2023.html — ~2,693 licensed dentists in OR (2023, ADA data)
- www.oregondental.org/about-us/leadership-governance/oda-board-of-trustees — ODA Board of Trustees
- www.oregondental.org/meetings-events/oregon-dental-conference — Oregon Dental Conference (ODC)
- www.oregoncc.org/attend/events/2026/04/2026-oregon-dental-conference — ODC 2026 dates (Apr 9–11), Portland, ~2,000 attendees
- www.oregondental.org/about-us/component-dental-societies — component society list
- www.oregon.gov/dentistry/pages/ce.aspx — Oregon CE requirements (40 hrs biennial, mandatory topics)
- oregon.public.law/rules/oar_818-021-0060 — OAR 818-021-0060 CE for dentists
- coda.ada.org/find-a-program — CODA-accredited OHSU School of Dentistry
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