Who is AZDA

The Arizona Dental Association—if you practice dentistry in State 48, you belong here

What surprises people outside of the dental profession is that not all dentists are members of the Arizona Dental Association (AzDA) and the American Dental Association (ADA). However, the truth is, some dentists have a concern, a respect, and a passion for their profession that goes beyond it just being a job and beyond the four walls of their office.

Year after year, these dentists support AzDA and the ADA because they see value in being a part of a community (being a part of something bigger than a 9-5 job); they want to strengthen and protect the profession they love, and they want to be able to treat patients the best way they can—without outside interference from third-parties who don’t know dentistry and/or don’t have their patients’ best interest in mind.

You may also be surprised to learn that AzDA was founded way back in 1909. Really—AzDA has been supporting dentists and defending dentistry for over 100 years! We’re one of 53 constituent/territorial societies of the ADA, and we represent over 2,000 licensed dentists in Arizona comprising every dental specialty.

Our mission is to provide leadership, resources, and advocacy to ensure the success of our members and promote oral health. AzDA is comprised of three components representing different geographical sections of the state: Central Arizona Dental Society, Northern Arizona Dental Society, and Southern Arizona Dental Society.

AzDA's Mission

AzDA’s mission is to provide leadership, resources and advocacy to ensure the success of our members and the promotion of oral health.

AzDA's Vision

AzDA’s vision is a strong, successful, quality dental profession in Arizona.

AzDA's Core Values

  • Oral health is essential to quality of life and is an integral component of overall health.
  • By fulfilling our responsibility to support our members’ success, we help them provide high quality services to the public.
  • By continually asking members what they need and value, we can deliver benefits that promote their professional and financial success.
  • Adherence to high ethical standards is a hallmark of the dental profession.
  • Mentoring and continuing dental education (both clinical and business) support a more educated dental workforce, which improves the delivery of services.
  • Education for members and the public about our legislative impact is essential to ensure that high quality dental care has statutory support in Arizona.
  • By supporting the Arizona Dental Foundation with volunteers and resources, we help make the Foundation’s programs successful.

AzDA's Bylaws

View the AzDA's bylaws.

Your AzDA Team

If you’re like most people, you probably feel good customer service is harder and harder to find. What’s worse is that sometimes you can’t even talk to a “live” person. That’s not going to happen at AzDA, we have an entire team who are able and eager to go the extra mile. For our members—especially our member dentists—expect first-rate service, every time.

Meet the hard working people at AzDA who are ready to help you.


AZDA Perks Program

AzDA Perks Endorsed Companies through AzDA Services

AzDA Services is the wholly owned for-profit subsidiary of the Arizona Dental Association. It provides an ideal opportunity for companies to have explicit exposure to AzDA membership. At the same time, they provide AzDA member dentists and dental team members with valuable pre-screening and discounts for products and services that are important for the safe and effective practice of dentistry. AzDA Perks is a collection of products and services, from practice finance to liability insurance and everything in between— all endorsed by the Arizona Dental Association because of their value and commitment to our members.

For further information, please visit our AzDA Services website.


AzDA Cares Foundation

The AzDA Cares Foundation keeps Arizona smiling by providing charitable dentistry programs to children, seniors, and individuals with a special need. We do this by mobilizing volunteers; identifying and linking resources; and offering educational opportunities for dental professionals.

AzDA Cares welcomes volunteers of every skill level to participate in giving events and to conduct oral hygiene education in schools and the community. Or consider adopting a patient to treat in your office. We screen for financial eligibility and medical needs. Contact (480) 344-5778, or visit the Foundation website here.

Tax Credit Contributions

What you give is what you get when you participate in the Arizona State Qualifying Charitable Tax Credit. This community benefit program allows you to deduct up to $842 per married couple ($421 single filer) against taxes owed to the State of Arizona. It is better than a deduction because your tax liability is lowered dollar for dollar on contributions made by December 31st each year. Plus you can still contribute to your favorite school in the same tax year. Best of all, you can take the tax credit on your state taxes AND take a charitable deduction on your federal taxes.

In-kind Support

The AzDA Cares Foundation accepts toothbrushes, paste, floss, stickers, and other non-expired disposable supplies for use at charitable events. Make pickup arrangements by contacting ADF at (480) 344-5778.

Precious Smiles

Ask your patients to donate their recoverable precious metals to support charitable dentistry programs at community clinics statewide. Contact (480) 344-5778 for a collection jar.


AZDA Continuing Education

Continuing Education and Annual Conventions

Your profession is not standing still. Dentistry is constantly evolving to better meet the needs of both patients and practitioners, like you. AzDA supports an increasing number of continuing education initiatives to keep you on top of the latest tools, treatment methods, scientific research and business practices throughout your dental career.

Throughout the year, AzDA provides Arizona dental professionals a wealth of top-quality, BODEX-required CE offerings at wonderfully attractive prices. Starting with the Western Regional Dental Experience, one of the largest dental meetings in the West, AzDA perennially brings in a superb slate of speakers comparable to any meeting in the country, covering almost all aspects of dentistry. Dental professionals can also take advantage of AzDA’s Fall Conference annual retreat. In addition to first-rate speakers, attendees can look forward to enjoying the beautiful accommodations at one of Arizona’s well known hotels. Additionally, AzDA members now have the ability to record and track their CEs on their computer or mobile device - just another free perk for being an AzDA member. View AzDA's CE offerings.

Western Regional Dental Experience

Held each spring, the Western Regional Dental Experience (WRDE) welcomes over 3,500 attendees and consists of over 75 continuing education (CE) courses and over 130 commercial exhibits. WRDE is one of the most well-respected dental conventions in the country and is the largest dental meeting in Arizona, and yet, it’s one of the most cost-effective, efficient ways for dental professionals to get the CE they need for license renewal. View this year's WRDE.

Fall Conference

Playing opposite to the spring WRDE, AzDA’s Fall Conference offers attendees a more relaxed, social continuing education experience. Typically held at some of Arizona’s most picturesque destinations, AzDA’s Fall Conference is an ideal opportunity for members to recharge and reinvigorate their minds, as well as learn from first-rate presenters.

AzDA Continuing Education

AzDA offers a host of CE opportunities in its A/V ready classroom, located in their Scottsdale headquarters. Risk management, OSHA, infection control, chemical dependency, oral radiography, CPR, and special needs training are among the courses that are offered. View AzDA's CE offerings.

AzDA is an ADA CERP recognized provider

ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.