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.
A strong and effective governmental oral health presence in states and territories to assure optimal oral health.
- advocate for 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 health equity,
- promote evidence-based oral health policy and practice, 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
- Navigating the ASTDD Website: This 10 minute tutorial provides tips on how to navigate the ASTDD website more efficiently and productively.
PowerPoint - Oral Health Matters - The fall 2018 edition of the ASTDD newsletter; meet members and associate members, check out state shots, and much more. (December 2018)
- Attendee registration is now open for the 2019 National Oral Health Conference.
Click here for the registration brochure.
Attendees Only - Click here to begin your online registration.
Earlybird registration ends March 8, 2019 - ASTDD 2017 Annual Report
- ASTDD Awards Brochure 2018
April 15-17, 2019 | Memphis, TN

Thank you!
Platinum Sponsor: |
Aseptico |
Gold Sponsors: |
American Dental Association |
Young Innovations |
Plak Smacker |
Silver Sponsors: |
Elevate Oral Care |
Spry/Xlear, Inc |
Advertising on ASTDD's website does not imply an endorsement by ASTDD of a company's products or services.
Fluoride Varnish Program Report and Fluoride Varnish Program Catalog - The Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) is pleased to share the results of the survey of the school-based fluoride varnish programs (children 6-17 years old) operating in the U.S in 2015-2016. In addition to the description of the survey, we were able to create a catalog of fluoride varnish programs by state. We found that responders defined fluoride varnish programs differently and we were not able to clearly identify programs that offered only fluoride varnish. We also identified states that did not answer in the affirmative while incorporate fluoride varnish into existing school-based programming. The number of programs and contacts may have changed since the survey was conducted. Please send any additions, corrections or other clarifications directly to our consultant, LeeAnn HoaglinCooper. The complete survey questions and responses are available to ASTDD members in the Members Only section of the ASTDD website. (October 2017)
