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 20 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.
A strong and effective governmental oral health presence in states and territories to assure optimal oral health.
- promote and support a governmental oral health presence in each state and territory,
- increase awareness of oral health as an important and integral part of overall health,
- address oral health equity,
- promote evidence-based oral health policies and practices, and
- assist in the development of initiatives to prevent and control oral diseases.
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 Individual or Organizational 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. Individual Associate member dues are $75.00 per year. Organizational Associate Membership dues are $400 per year.
ASTDD Key Messages
State Oral Health Programs make an essential contribution to public health and must be continued and enhanced. Resources to Support ASTDD Key Messages.
Announcements, Publications & Documents
- ASTDD 2019 Annual Report
- ASTDD Roundup - Check out the January/February ASTDD Roundup, a new bimonthly summary of selected ASTDD consultant, committee, project and meeting summaries.
- Navigating the ASTDD Website: This 10 minute tutorial provides tips on how to navigate the ASTDD website more efficiently and productively.
PowerPoint - 2019 ASTDD Awards Brochure
- 2019 Fluoridation Awards Brochure
- Needs Assessment Reports for US Affiliated Pacific Islands
COVID-19 Resources
- Two Resources to Track State by State Response COVID-19
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The CDC recommends that dental facilities postpone elective procedures, surgeries, and non-urgent dental visits, and prioritize urgent and emergency visits and procedures now and for the coming several weeks. This aligns with the American Dental Association (ADA)'s March 16, 2020 recommendation that dentists nationwide postpone elective procedures, as well the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)'s March 19, 2020 guidance that all non-essential dental exams and procedures be postponed until further notice.For urgent clinical care of patients with known or suspected COVID-19, dental personnel and medical providers should work together to determine an appropriate facility for treatment and should follow the Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) or Persons Under Investigation for COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings The urgency and need for a procedure are decisions based on clinical judgement and should be made on a case-by-case basis.CDC urges providers to be familiar with the information on CDC's COVID-19 website. Specific information is available for Healthcare Professionals , including a Healthcare Professional Preparedness Checklist , instructions on Evaluating and Reporting Persons Under Investigation (PUI) , Healthcare Personnel with Potential Exposure Guidance , and What Healthcare Personnel Should Know . Dental healthcare personnel can also consider signing up for communications from CDC's Health Alert Network , which is CDC's primary method of sharing information about urgent public health incidents with healthcare providers.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Health and Human Services
- Health Resources and Services Administration
HRSA's COVID-19 FAQs for health centers and related information can be found on the Emergency Preparedness and Recovery Resources for Health Centers webpage.
- Occupational Health and Safety Administration
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EPA has released an expanded list of EPA-registered disinfectant products that have qualified for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. EPA Expands COVID-19 Disinfectant List
- American Dental Association (ADA)
Coronavirus Resource Center ADA.org/VirusResources includes the newest practice management, safety and clinical guidance.
- American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA)
ADHA has developed a resource page for all things related to COVID19 which is located at www.adha.org/COVID19. This includes an FAQ section along with a running timeline of actions ADHA has taken in response to COVID19. They have also included resources and guidance from national partners so that our community can find answers easily in one place.
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)
AAPD's recent COVID-19 policy messaging to its membership may found online, including an embedded link to the article, An Algorithm for Managing Emergent Dental Conditions for Children. Visit: https://www.aapd.org/about/about-aapd/news-room/covid-19/
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, the AAP has been staying abreast of all confirmed developments related to its global spread and will continue to be vigilant in efforts to develop and share information and guidance with members. Updates for pediatricians are available at https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/This website includes:
- Clinical guidance
- Information on PPE
- Practice Management Resources
- Telemedicine and telephone care resources
- Coding information
- Information for families
- Physician wellness tips
- Advocacy
Organizational Associate Members
- America's ToothFairy: National Children's Oral Health Foundation
- American Dental Hygienists' Association
- Future Smiles
- Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services
- National Network for Oral Health Access
- Oral Health Kansas
- OPEN (Oral Health Progress and Equity Network)
- Organization for Safety, Asepsis & Prevention (OSAP)
- School-Based Health Alliance
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Virginia Health Catalyst
- West Virginia Oral Health Coalition
- Wyoming Primary Care Association
National Oral Health Conference
Due to the spread of COVID-19 and the need to ensure the health and well-being of our members and attendees, the Board of Directors of the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors and of the American Association of Public Health Dentistry, have decided to cancel the 2020 National Oral Health Conference. As you know, the conference was scheduled for April 4-8, 2020 in San Diego, California. There are no plans to reschedule the 2020 NOHC.
For all those registered for NOHC, you will receive a full refund. Also, for those who have registered for the weekend workshops, a full refund will be issued. There is no need to for you to send an email to the NOHC office regarding the cancellation of your registration as this will be done automatically. Refunds will be processed within 4-6 weeks. If you paid via credit card, the refund will go back to the same card. If you paid by check, NOHC will issue a refund check. For those who already cancelled and received a partial refund, we will process the remainder of the refund within 4-6 weeks.
Please make sure to cancel any personal arrangements you have made such as hotel stays and transportation. Note that for the host hotel, any guaranteed reservation not cancelled 48 hours in advance of the scheduled check in date Pacific Time will be subject to a penalty.
We are profoundly aware of the many people who make NOHC the meeting we have grown to look forward to and come to so enjoy. To the many ASTDD and AAPHD member volunteers who have worked on planning various aspects of the conference – we thank you for your time, expertise, and vision. Thank you to all the speakers, moderators, roundtable presenters, and poster and oral presentation presenters for all the work you have put into the abstracts. Thank you to our sponsors and exhibitors for your support of this meeting; the NOHC office will be contacting you separately to share additional information. Finally, to the many dedicated members of AAPHD and ASTDD and to others who have registered for the conference, we thank you for your decision to attend the 2020 National Oral Health Conference, (NOHC) and for your continued support.
Please, stay safe and healthy during the coming months and take care of one another!
Advertising on ASTDD's website does not imply an endorsement by ASTDD of a company's products or services.
