Utah Dental Association (UDA)
Your guide to organized dentistry in Utah: membership, the annual meeting, local component societies, the state dental board, and CE/license-renewal requirements.
About the Utah Dental Association
The Utah Dental Association (UDA) is the statewide professional association for dentists in Utah and the ADA constituent for the state. Its mission is to 'promote oral health and protect the dental profession while at the same time meet the needs of patients in Utah.' UDA's community includes dentists, dental hygienists, and dental students, and it provides education, practice support, advocacy, and professional protection across career stages.
Utah's organized dentistry operates on the tripartite model — ADA national, UDA state, and a local district society — with member dentists belonging to one of several geographic district societies. UDA's services include member discounts, staffing tools, continuing education, and networking events, and it runs continuing-education / risk-prevention seminars within the local UDA districts throughout the state.
Governance runs through an elected officer slate. The 2025 roster lists Richard G. Fisher, DMD as President, Randell Capener, DMD as President-Elect, Scott Nilson, DDS as Treasurer, Rich Carlile, DDS as Secretary, and Rodney J. Thornell, DMD as Immediate Past President. Day-to-day operations are led by long-time Executive Director Val Radmall.
The UDA's advocacy arm engages on the Utah Dental Practice Act and other state legislative/regulatory matters affecting dentistry, and it maintains a political action committee (UDPAC).
Annual Meeting: UDA Convention (Utah Dental Association Convention)
Annual; held in the Salt Lake City metro area. A 2026 UDA Convention is on the calendar, continuing the annual series (2022-2026 editions documented).
The UDA Convention is the association's flagship CE and trade-show event, drawing dentists and teams from across Utah for continuing-education courses, exhibits, and networking.
Component & Local Dental Societies
Joining the UDA typically also enrolls a dentist in their local component society.Utah has 3 component societies:
Salt Lake District Dental Society
Salt Lake City / Salt Lake County (the largest district)
Provo District Dental Society
Provo / Utah County
Weber District Dental Society
Ogden / Weber County area
Additional UDA districts covering other regions (e.g., Davis County, southern Utah/Washington County, Cache Valley) are referenced by UDA, but a complete official district roster was not confirmed from public pages. For an authoritative full list, the UDA office (801-261-5315) is the primary source.
Licensing Board
Utah Board of Dentists and Dental Hygienists (administered by the Division of Professional Licensing, DOPL, within the Department of Commerce)
The board licenses and regulates dentists — distinct from the UDA, which is a voluntary membership and advocacy body.
dopl.utah.gov/dentistryCE & License Renewal
- Hours: 30 hours per renewal cycle for dentists
- Cycle: Biennial. Utah dental licenses renew by May 31 of even-numbered years.
- Mandatory topics: At least 15 of the 30 hours must be live/interactive (not self-study). At least 2 hours in ethics or professional responsibility. Controlled-substance license holders need 2 hours of controlled-substance prescribing CE, and DEA registrants must complete the one-time 8-hour MATE Act opioid/substance-use-disorder training. BCLS/ACLS/PALS recertification hours do not count toward the 30.
Always verify current requirements with the Utah Board of Dentists and Dental Hygienists (administered by the Division of Professional Licensing, DOPL, within the Department of Commerce) before renewal.
Dental Schools in Utah
Utah Dental Market Snapshot
- Utah is a fast-growing state with a young, large-family population and one of the highest dentist-utilization cultures in the US; demand for dental care is strong, concentrated along the Wasatch Front.
- Major metros: Salt Lake City, Provo / Orem (Utah County), Ogden (Weber County), Lehi / Silicon Slopes, St. George (Washington County).
- Predominantly English-speaking with a sizable and growing Hispanic population; Spanish-capable front-desk handling adds value, especially in West Valley City and the St. George corridor.
- Two in-state dental schools feed a steady supply of new dentists and group/DSO growth.
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Utah Dental Association FAQ
How many CE hours do Utah dentists need to renew a license?
Utah dentists must complete 30 hours per renewal cycle for dentists, biennial. utah dental licenses renew by may 31 of even-numbered years.. Mandatory topics include At least 15 of the 30 hours must be live/interactive (not self-study). At least 2 hours in ethics or professional responsibility. Controlled-substance license holders need 2 hours of controlled-substance prescribing CE, and DEA registrants must complete the one-time 8-hour MATE Act opioid/substance-use-disorder training. BCLS/ACLS/PALS recertification hours do not count toward the 30.. Always confirm current rules with the Utah Board of Dentists and Dental Hygienists (administered by the Division of Professional Licensing, DOPL, within the Department of Commerce).
What is the difference between the UDA and the Utah Board of Dentists and Dental Hygienists (administered by the Division of Professional Licensing, DOPL, within the Department of Commerce)?
The Utah Dental Association is a voluntary membership and advocacy organization for dentists. The Utah Board of Dentists and Dental Hygienists (administered by the Division of Professional Licensing, DOPL, within the Department of Commerce) 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.uda.org/ — UDA overview, mission, ADA constituent
- www.uda.org/about-us/contact-the-uda — Woods Cross HQ address & phone
- www.uda.org/member-center — member services, district seminars
- www.zoominfo.com/p/Val-Radmall/2189489097 — Val Radmall, Executive Director
- www.uda.org/about-us/uda-officers — 2025 officer slate (President Richard G. Fisher, DMD, et al.)
- commerce.utah.gov/dopl/dentistry/renew-a-license/ — Board, licensing, renewal cycle
- www.uda.org/government-affairs/ut-dental-practice-act-other-gov-links — advocacy / Dental Practice Act
- www.uda.org/meetings-events/2026-uda-convention — UDA Convention
- www.guidestar.org/profile/87-0266455 — UDA EIN/nonprofit profile
- www.netce.com/ce-requirements/dentist/ut/ — CE requirements (30 hrs/2 yrs, 15 live, 2 ethics, controlled-substance & MATE)
- dentistry.utah.edu/education/dds-degree/student/accreditation — University of Utah & Roseman CODA accreditation
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