A strong and effective governmental oral health presence in states and territories to assure optimal oral health.
Mission
ASTDD provides leadership to promote a governmental oral health presence in each state and territory, to formulate and promote sound oral health policy, to increase awareness of oral health issues, and to assist in the development of initiatives for prevention and control of oral diseases.
President's Message
Welcome to the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors website. ASTDD’s members are a small group of dedicated public health professionals, the majority of whom are either dentists or dental hygienists. As you explore the site you will come to realize the critical role that our members, along with state oral health program staff, play in assuring optimal oral health for all Americans. ASTDD’s members serve as the principle point of contact within state/territorial government on issues specific to oral health.
Our associate members are individuals representing a cross section of disciplines, all committed to improving the nation’s oral health. Members and associate members are the bedrock upon which ASTDD is built. Currently over 80% of members serve the association though active participation on committees, as liaisons to other organizations, or as representatives of ASTDD in other venues.
This website has been designed to serve as a comprehensive source of information for members, associate members, policymakers, oral health and public health professionals, other health care professionals, academicians, students and the general public. A variety of tools and links can be found to help visitors understand the breadth and scope of oral health programs administered by our members. If you have any comments or suggestions, please contact us.
Thank you for visiting,
Margaret M. Snow DMD, MBA, MPH
President
ASTDD Information
The Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) is a national non-profit organization representing the directors and staff of state public health agency programs for oral health. It was organized in 1948 and is one of 17 affiliates of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). ASTDD formulates and promotes the establishment of national dental public health policy, assists state dental programs in the development and implementation of programs and policies for the prevention of oral diseases; builds awareness and strengthens dental public health professionals' knowledge and skills by developing position papers and policy statements; provides information on oral health to health officials and policy makers, and conducts conferences for the dental public health community.
The ASTDD Membership consists of the chief dental public health officer (state dental director) of the state health department or equivalent agency, and the U. S. Territories. ASTDD also offers an Associate Membership which is open to any public agency, voluntary organization, tribal entity and/or health professionals employed or interested in dental public health. Members and Associate members serve on and chair committee's or work groups, receive the ASTDD newsletter, are enrolled on the ASTDD list serve, and participate in the ASTDD Annual Business Meeting held in conjunction with the annual National Oral Health Conference. While Associate Members may not serve as officers or vote at the annual business meeting, there is a voting Associate Member on the ASTDD Executive Committee who serves a 3 year term and is elected by the Associate Membership. The Associate member dues are $50.00 per year.
For more information about ASTDD or to apply for Associate Membership, contact Ms. Christine Wood, ASTDD Executive Director, atcwood@astdd.org.
