What the American Dental Association is and where its offices are located
The American Dental Association (ADA) is a professional membership organization for dentists in the United States. It maintains a national headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, and operates state and local dental societies across the country. If you need to reach the ADA directly — whether you are a dentist looking for membership information, a patient seeking referrals, or someone researching dental standards — you will contact one of these offices rather than a single central number.
The ADA's main office handles national policy, membership services, and professional standards. State dental associations, which are affiliated with but separate from the national ADA, handle local membership, continuing education, and regional dentist networks. Most people who contact the ADA are either dentists seeking membership or patients looking for a dentist referral through the ADA's "Find a Dentist" tool.
Key Takeaways
- The ADA national headquarters is in Chicago, but state dental associations in all 50 states handle most local dentist referrals and membership questions.
- The ADA's "Find a Dentist" tool on its website lets you search for dentists by location and specialty without calling an office.
- State dental association contact information is listed on the national ADA website and varies by state.
- The national ADA office handles membership for dentists, professional standards, and policy matters rather than patient referrals.
How to use the ADA's online dentist finder
The fastest way to find a dentist through the ADA is the "Find a Dentist" search tool on the ADA's main website. You enter your zip code or city, and the tool returns a list of ADA member dentists in your area. You can filter by specialty — such as orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, or oral surgery — and by whether the dentist accepts new patients.
This tool does not require you to call any office. You can see the dentist's address, phone number, and website directly from the search results. Many dentists listed also show their insurance plans and hours of operation. If you do not find a dentist you want to see through this tool, you can contact your state dental association directly for additional referrals.
Contacting the ADA national office in Chicago
The ADA national headquarters is located at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611. The main phone number is 1-800-621-8099. This office primarily serves dentists who are members or seeking membership, and handles questions about ADA membership benefits, continuing education credits, and professional standards and codes.
If you are a patient looking for a dentist, calling the national office is usually not necessary — the online "Find a Dentist" tool is faster. If you have a specific question about ADA standards, dental health policy, or need to report a concern about a dentist's credentials, the national office can direct you to the right department or refer you to your state association.
Finding your state dental association office
Each state has its own dental association affiliated with the national ADA. These state offices are often the better contact for patient referrals, questions about dentist licensing, and local dental events. The ADA website lists contact information for all 50 state dental associations, organized alphabetically by state.
To find your state association, visit the ADA's main website and look for the "State Dental Associations" link, usually in the footer or under a "Dentists" or "About" section. Click your state, and you will see the association's phone number, mailing address, and website. Many state associations also have their own "Find a Dentist" tools that may include additional local dentists or more detailed filtering options than the national tool.
What information you will need when you contact an ADA office
If you are calling a state dental association to ask for a dentist referral, have your zip code or city ready, and be prepared to say what type of dentist you are looking for — general dentistry, a specific specialty, or a dentist who takes your insurance. If you are asking about a specific dentist's credentials or licensing, have the dentist's name and city ready.
If you are a dentist contacting the national ADA office about membership, have your dental school graduation date, state license number, and current practice location ready. State associations may also ask whether you are already an ADA member when you call with questions about membership benefits or continuing education.
Other ways to reach the ADA besides phone or mail
The ADA website includes contact forms for different types of questions — patient referrals, membership inquiries, and professional standards questions. You can submit a form through the website and expect a response within a few business days. Many state dental associations also have their own websites with contact forms, email addresses, and chat options.
The ADA is also active on social media and maintains accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. While these channels are not the fastest way to get a personal response, they can point you to resources or direct you to the right office to contact. The ADA's main website also publishes a blog with information about dental health, professional standards, and membership updates.
What the ADA can and cannot do for you
The ADA can refer you to member dentists, provide information about dental health and professional standards, and answer questions about dentist licensing and credentials. It can also direct you to resources about dental insurance, treatment options, and oral health. However, the ADA does not provide dental treatment, diagnose dental problems, or recommend specific dentists for your situation — it only refers you to dentists in your area who are members.
If you have a complaint about a dentist's conduct or believe a dentist is practicing without a license, the ADA can direct you to your state dental board, which is the government agency that licenses and disciplines dentists. The ADA itself does not investigate complaints or take disciplinary action — that is the state board's role. Your state dental association can tell you how to file a complaint with the state board.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the ADA to find a dentist?
No. The ADA's "Find a Dentist" tool and state associations are one way to find a dentist, but you can also search online, ask your doctor for a referral, check your insurance company's provider list, or ask friends and family. The ADA tool is useful if you want to confirm that a dentist is an ADA member or if you want to search by specialty.
Is every dentist in the United States an ADA member?
No. While the ADA is the largest professional organization for dentists, membership is voluntary. Some dentists choose not to join. If you cannot find a dentist through the ADA tool, it does not mean the dentist is not may have access to — they may straightforward not be an ADA member. Your state dental board's website lists all licensed dentists in your state, whether or not they are ADA members.
Can the ADA tell me if a dentist is licensed?
The ADA can confirm whether a dentist is an ADA member, but to verify a dentist's license, you should contact your state dental board directly. The state board is the government agency that issues and maintains dental licenses. The ADA can direct you to your state board's website, where you can search for any licensed dentist by name.
What if I have a complaint about a dentist?
Contact your state dental board, not the ADA. The state board investigates complaints and can take disciplinary action. Your state dental association can tell you how to file a complaint with the state board, or you can find the board's contact information by searching "[your state] dental board" online.
Does the ADA offer dental insurance or payment plans?
No. The ADA is a professional organization for dentists, not an insurance company or payment service. However, the ADA website includes information about dental insurance options and how to understand your coverage. Your dentist's office can also discuss payment plans or financing options with you directly.