Arizona Dental Association Turns 100
Association is a leader in oral health care needs of Arizonans


Scottsdale, Ariz. – Whether you love or hate going to the dentist, you can’t deny the importance of good oral health. This month, the Arizona Dental Association (AzDA) is celebrating its 100 year anniversary and is proud to be committed to Arizona’s oral health needs.

Established in 1909, the Arizona Dental Association is a nonprofit professional organization representing more than 2,500 dentists statewide – approximately 82 percent of all licensed and practicing dentists in Arizona.

An affiliate of the American Dental Association (ADA), AzDA’s goal is to establish the highest standard of care for the public and inspire members in the pursuit of professional excellence through education, leadership, and communications.

"A lot of what the association has accomplished over the past 100 years has been behind the scenes, and those accomplishments have made a positive impact on how Arizonans receive oral health care," said Dr. Regina Cobb, AzDA president. "We hope to continue our oral health care efforts in Arizona for years to come."

Some of the accomplishments AzDA is proud of over the past 100 years include:
  • Developed and initiated Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting programs through Rio Salado Community College.
  • Received two Golden Apple Awards from the ADA: one for Legislative Achievement and one for Excellence in Member-Related Service/Benefits for the Rio Salado Clinical Dental Assisting Program.
  • Trained dentists on treatment issues relating to oral health care for people with special needs.
  • Championed a preventative dental care program for the developmentally disabled and seniors who are clients of the Arizona Long Term Care System.
  • Provided high-quality Continuing Education credit opportunities to dentists in order to maintain licensure requirements and to provide a high level of care for patients.
  • Since 1991, annually provided over $500,000 of donated dental care to underserved Arizonans through the Arizona Dental Foundation, the association’s charitable arm.
To celebrate 100 years of dentistry in Arizona, the Arizona Dental Foundation is hosting the AzDA Centennial Ball on Friday, March 13 benefitting the Foundation’s charitable programs and honoring AzDA.

In addition, AzDA is hosting the annual Western Regional Dental Convention from March 12 through 14. The convention features over 40 speakers and offers a full range of scientific courses, hands-on workshops, and a host of other topics and events. Approximately 5,000 dental professionals are expected to attend the convention. For more information on these events, visit www.azda.org.