Tripartite Dentistry

The Effectiveness of the Tri-partite System of Organization and Membership of the

American Dental Association

Dennis R. Campbell

Southern Adventist University

BUAD 505: Management in a Changing World

November 5, 2012

Abstract

Organized dentistry in America has had a three-tiered structure or organization and membership from its early days: the national, state, and district levels. In addition, many organizations that are not part of the American Dental Association (ADA), such as the specialty organizations and local dental societies, require ADA membership. This system has been criticized for years, mainly because people want to be able to choose to be members at whatever level they want, in addition to wanting membership in their specialty organization without paying ADA dues. This paper will support the current structure, given the need for more grass root participation and the likelihood that this structure promotes that participation.

Keywords: membership, tri-partite, innovation

The Effectiveness of the Tri-partite System of Organization and Membership of the

American Dental Association

Twenty-six dentists who represented various dental societies in the United States (Wikipedia) founded the American Dental Association (ADA) August 1859, at Niagara Falls, New York. The ADA has more than 155,000 (7 out of 10 licensed dentists) members in 53 constituent (state) and 545 component (local) dental societies. It is the largest and oldest national dental association in the world (Berry, 2011).

The House of Delegates, the legislative body of the ADA, is composed of 460 delegates representing the 53 constituent societies, five federal dental services and the American Student Dental Association. The House meets once a year during the ADA’s Annual Session.

The Board of Trustees, the administrative body of the ADA, is composed of the president, the president-elect, 2 vice presidents and 17 trustees from each of the 17 trustee districts in the United...