Canadian Dental Association

Canadian Dental Association: national representation for Canadian dentistry

The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) is a professional association with no regulatory role, federally incorporated as a not-for-profit organization. Its corporate members are Canada's provincial and territorial dental associations (PTDAs). The organization represents more than 21,000 practising dentists nationwide and serves as a trusted brand and source of information about the dental profession at the national and international levels.

Areas of activity and audiences served

The organization structures its activity across several fronts. For the general public, it offers content on oral health, the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), finding a dentist, and understanding dental benefits. For practising professionals, it provides practice support services such as CDAnet and ITRANS, CDA Secure Send, CDA Essentials, JCDA.ca, and CDA Oasis, as well as dental conventions and membership programs. It also serves prospective dentists, dental students, and internationally trained professionals through resources on the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT), career options, certification, and licensure.

Featured programs and services

• CDAnet and ITRANS: practice support services for dentists and office staff.
• CDA Secure Send: secure information sending tool.
• CDA Essentials and JCDA.ca: publications and editorial resources for professionals.
• CDA Oasis: content platform for the dental community.
• CDA Seal Program: product recognition initiative, with information on how to apply.
• Dental Aptitude Test (DAT): registration management, test day information, and FAQs for dental school applicants.
• Awards and recognition: CDA Student Leadership Award and Certificate of Recognition for Dental Internship Program, among others.

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)

The CDA devotes a specific section to the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), a federal government program intended to reduce financial barriers to oral health care for Canadians without a dental plan. The association has also published a policy paper on the financial gap in dental care, noting that the federal government's 2022 dental care investment is an opportunity to improve oral health, but it must protect existing employer-provided benefits and support Canadians with the least access.

Policy and advocacy positions

In the area of advocacy, the CDA hosts its annual Hill Days; the 2024 edition was held on October 21-22, with meetings between association board members and parliamentarians to discuss key issues affecting oral health in Canada. The organization also publishes position statements and public statements, including its position on the prevention of infective endocarditis, in which it supports the American Heart Association (AHA) recommendations to administer antibiotic prophylaxis before certain dental procedures only to patients at greatest risk of an adverse outcome, and its statement on acetaminophen use in pregnancy, in which it recommends that dentists follow evidence-based guidance from Canadian health authorities and professional associations.

Information for patients and families

The association offers resources focused on visiting the dentist, with content on the dental exam, treatment concerns, the dental care team, and dental specialties. It includes specific materials on a child's first visit, care for seniors, care for persons with special needs, and oral health FAQs, such as those on bisphenol A, fluoride, and gum disease.

Governance and structure

The CDA has a board of directors and a president, and publishes its principles of ethics and scope of work. Its institutional content includes awards and recognition, the history of Canadian dentistry, past presidents of the association, and the Royal Canadian Dental Corps centennial. The organization also maintains a Reconciliation Action Plan and works on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Its corporate headquarters is federal in nature, and its membership is structured through the provincial and territorial associations.