Canadian Dental Association

The Canadian Dental Association, also known as the Association dentaire canadienne in French was founded in 1902. It is a non-profit professional association representing Canada's 18,000 dentists. Headquartered in Canada's capital city Ottawa, the CDA serves its members and the public by managing key oral health issues on their behalf and by coordinating dental health awareness programs across the nation.

CDA is actively involved with lobbying and advocacy initiatives and uses its leadership role to communicate to the public and the government the profession's concerns regarding managed dental care.

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CDA Seal of Recognition

  The CDA Seal of Recognition is a symbol of products that are of benefit to the oral health of consumers. The seal is designed to help the public and dental professionals make informed choices.

Mission statement

The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) is the authoritative national voice of dentistry, dedicated to the representation and advancement of the profession, nationally and internationally, and to the achievement of optimal oral health.

Some examples of our achievements include:

• The widespread fluoridation of municipal water supplies Canadians enjoy today
• Successful lobbying of the federal government on taxation issues surrounding the taxation of dental benefits plans
• Ongoing work with Canadian employers and other stakeholders to preserve the integrity of Canada's unique oral health care delivery system

CDA Policy

Definition: "Policy" is defined as the framework by which organizations operate.*

The two categories of policy are:

1. Directional Policy -Refers to policies on constitution, mission, vision, mandates, bylaws, and Key Result Areas (KRAs). Directional policies shall be approved by the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
2. General Policy -Refers to all other policies. The Board of Directors shall approve the General Policies.

* Note: This definition now replaces Resolution 99.10 of the Canadian Dental Association Board of Governors' March 1999 session.

Key Result Areas

CDA's initiatives on behalf of the dental profession revolve around four Key Result Areas (KRAs) and their associated strategic objectives. These KRAs and objectives drive the work of the volunteer councils and committees and of CDA staff.

Measurable Improvement in Oral Health

Strategic objective: Contribute in a measurable fashion to the improvement of the oral health of Canadians.

Recognized Leader in Oral Health

Strategic objective: Ensure the Canadian Dental Association is recognized as the national leader and advocate in oral health.

Resources and Membership Support

Strategic Objective: Achieve sustainable and diverse revenue base and solid support of all corporate members and Canadian dentists.

Maintenance of a Viable Professional Environment

Strategic Objective: Encourage an environment in which the profession can achieve viable practice cheese

CDA Corporate Membership

The Canadian Dental Association is a nation-wide professional organization, representing Canadian dentists through its corporate members, who are currently:

• Association of Dental Surgeons of British Columbia
• Alberta Dental Association and College
• College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan
• Manitoba Dental Association
• Ontario Dental Association
• New Brunswick Dental Society
• Nova Scotia Dental Association
• Dental Association of Prince Edward Island
• Newfoundland & Labrador Dental Association

Corporate members are provincial or territorial dental organizations that pay a corporate membership fee in order to represent their members' interests on a national basis.