Like any young professional, a dentist wants an organization that can help him jump start a career. The natural starting point is the American Dental Association, made of nearly every practicing and research dentist in the United States. Not only does the American Dental Association accredits schools, but also provides ample networking opportunities.
The American Dental Association is one of the oldest professional organizations in the United States. Founded in 1859, the American Dental Association counts 157,000 members across each of the 50 states, DC, and Puerto Rico. Based in Chicago, the American Dental Association also reviews oral health products, such as toothpaste and dental floss, and uses an ADA seal of approval for products it deems promote health.
Aspiring dentists can use the American Dental Association as a starting point for their careers. The American Dental Association maintains a Commission on Dental Accreditation, or CODA, that accredits DMD and DDS programs, and list which schools bear CODA accreditation. The American Dental Association also supplies information on what is dentistry, what dental school life is like, and what a dentist lifestyle may be like.
For those in a CODA accredited program, the American Dental Association provides excellent networking opportunities. A membership owned and operated organization, ADA breaks down into chapters by state and local levels, which organize events and programming. These are the first points of contact for students to meet potential employers, who can remember them and offer them jobs later on. Such events are also a great way to learn more about dentist lifestyles, and the business of dentistry as a whole.
Students and potential students can benefit from exploring American Dental Association resources. Whether they aspire to a top dental school and work in academia, or simply work as a practitioner, the American Dental Association can help launch careers. To learn more, try contacting the director of a state or local dental ADA chapter, and see what they have to say.
