Dentistry did not become a strong, independent profession by accident, and it will not remain one without shared effort. The autonomy we value (practice ownership, fair reimbursement, and clinical independence) exists because dentists before us organized, paid in, and fought for it. We all benefit from those wins every day. Acting as if they are permanent, or assuming someone else will always step up, puts our profession at risk.

When we choose not to join, we are not opting out of politics or advocacy; we are shifting the responsibility onto our colleagues. A smaller group of dentists carries the cost, the time, and the fight, while others enjoy the results. That imbalance is how professions lose control, and our physician colleagues in the AMA have already shown us the outcome. 

The Arizona Dental Association (AzDA) is how we protect dentistry in Arizona, but it only works if enough of us stand behind it. Joining isn’t symbolic. It’s doing your part. If we want dentistry to remain a profession led by dentists, then it’s time to stop sitting on the sidelines and join us. Support and protect your profession through membership. 

WE WANT YOU!
—Dr. Anthony Caputo, 2026 AzDA President