The Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) is a national non-profit organization representing the directors and staff of state/territorial 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/territorial 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.
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.
Apply online for ASTDD Membership
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 tutorial provides tips on how to navigate the ASTDD website more efficiently and productively.
- ASTDD Strategic Map 2022-2024
- ASTDD Roundup - Check out the May/June 2023 issue of the Roundup!
- 2022 ASTDD Annual Report
- 2022 ASTDD Overview PowerPoint
- Awards
- 2023 ASTDD Annual Business Meeting Minutes
- State Synopses Summary Report 2023 - This report contains aggregated data for responses to selected items on the 2021-2022 State Synopses of Dental Public Health Programs.
- ASTDD National Oral Health Data Portal
- Recording of January 10, 2022 Launch of the National Oral Health Data Portal
COVID-19 Resources
- American Dental Association (ADA) - Coronavirus Resource Center ADA.org/VirusResources includes the newest practice management, safety and clinical guidance.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Occupational Health and Safety Administration - Guidance for Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
- OSAP COVID-19 Toolkit - Check out the latest COVID-19 information from regulatory agencies, government, research institutes, dental associations, and health organizations.
Organizational Associate Members
- American Dental Association
- American Dental Hygienists' Association
- Arcora Foundation
- CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
- D4 Support Services, LLC
- KoKua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services
- National Network for Oral Health Access
- Oral Health Kansas
- Organization for Safety, Asepsis & Prevention (OSAP)
- School-Based Health Alliance
- United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc.
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Virginia Health Catalyst
- West Virginia Oral Health Coalition
- Wyoming Primary Care Association
National Oral Health Conference
Advertising on ASTDD's website does not imply an endorsement by ASTDD of a company's products or services.
Recording of Dec. 16, 2021 ASTDD/CareQuest Best Practices for Teledentistry Today and in the Future Webcast
During the hour-long presentation, the expert panel highlighted necessary systems-level changes, discussed how they created the Best Practice Approach Report, and examined CareQuest Institute's strategic priorities around teledentistry that are helping to push the industry in new directions.
