ADA Positions, Policies and Statements

Topics

Amalgam Anesthesia and Sedation Antibiotic Prophylaxis (Infective Endocarditis) Cancers of the Oral Cavity and Oropharynx Dental Benefits and Claims Dentistry Ethics Evidence-Based Dentistry Fluoride and Sealants Infection Control

Lasers Miscellaneous Oral Fluid Diagnostics Pain Management Piercing and Tongue Splitting Prevention and Education Radiography/X-Rays Substance Use Disorders Tooth Whitening Unconventional Dentistry

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Amalgam

• ADA Press Statement on Dental Fillings
• ADA Guidelines on Amalgam Accumulations in Dental Office Plumbing (PDF)
• ADA Statement on Dental Amalgam
• Best Management Practices for Amalgam Waste
• National Pretreatment Standard for Dental Office Wastewater (October 2010)

Anesthesia and Sedation

• ADA Policy Statement: The Use of Sedation and General Anesthesia by Dentists (PDF)
• Guidelines for Teaching Pain Control and Sedation to Dentists and Dental Students (PDF)
• Guidelines for the Use of Sedation and General Anesthesia by Dentists (PDF)
• See also Pain Management, Substance Use Disorders

Antibiotic Prophylaxis (Infective Endocarditis)

• Oral Health Topic: Antibiotic Prophylaxis

Cancers of the Oral Cavity and Oropharynx

• Oral Health Topic: Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer

Dental Benefits and Claims

• ADA’s Position on Content of Explanation of Benefits (EOB) Statements (login Required)
• Definitions of Fraudulent and Abusive Practices in Dental Benefit Plans and Claims (login Required)

Dentistry

• Dentistry—The Model Profession

Ethics

• Statement on Employee Dentist (PDF)
• Statement of the ADA Council on Ethics, Bylaws and Judicial Affairs on Dental Tourism - Ethical Obligations of Dentists (PDF)
• ADA Statement on Dental Patient Rights and Responsibilities (PDF)
• Ethical Considerations When Using Patients in the Clinical Examination Process (PDF)
• ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct
• Gift Giving to Dentists (PDF)

Evidence-Based Dentistry

• ADA Policy on Evidence-Based Dentistry

Fluoride and Sealants

• ADA Fluoridation Policy and Statements
• ADA Press Statement on Water Fluoridation
• Bottled Water, Home Water Treatment Systems, and Fluoride Exposure
• Bisphenol A and Dental Materials

Infection Control

• ADA Statement on Infection Control in Dentistry
• ADA Statement on Dental Unit Waterlines
• ADA Statement on the Treatment of Patients with Infectious Diseases of Uncertain Transmission
• Post-Exposure Evaluation and Follow-Up Requirements Under OSHA's Standard for Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens: A Guide to Dental Employer Obligations (login required)

Lasers

• ADA Statement on Lasers in Dentistry

Miscellaneous

• ADA to Address Recommendations Provided in KPMG Report (PDF)
• ADA Position on the Dental Health Aide Program in Alaska (PDF)
• ADA Statement on Athletic Mouthguards
• ADA Statement on Toothbrush Care: Cleaning, Storage and Replacement
• ADA Statement on Early Childhood Caries
• Dental Mercury Hygiene Recommendations (From JADA)
• Classification System for Alloys for Fixed Prosthodontics
• Guidelines for Licensure
• Dental Product Standards

Oral Fluid Diagnostics

• ADA Statement on Oral Fluid Diagnostics

Pain Management

• Statement on the Use of Opioids in the Treatment of Dental Pain (October 2016)
• See also Anesthesia and Sedation, Substance Use Disorders

Piercing and Tongue Splitting

• ADA Statement on Intraoral/Perioral Piercing and Tongue Splitting

Prevention and Education

• Policies and Recommendations on Diet and Nutrition (October 2016)
• Policies and Recommendations on Tobacco Use (October 2016)
• See also Fluoride and Sealants

Radiography/X-Rays

• Dental Radiographic Examinations: Recommendations For Patient Selection and Limiting Radiation Exposure (PDF)
• Managing Silver and Lead Waste in a Dental Office (PDF)

Substance Use Disorders

• Statement on the Use of Opioids in the Treatment of Dental Pain (October 2016)
• Statement on Alcoholism and Other Substance Use Disorders
• Statement on Alcohol and Other Substance Use by Pregnant and Postpartum Patients
• Statement on Provision of Dental Treatment for Patients with Substance Use Disorders
• Guidelines Related to Alcohol, Nicotine, and/or Drug Use by Child or Adolescent Patients
• Insurance Coverage for Chemical Dependency Treatment
• See also Anesthesia and Sedation, Pain Management

Tooth Whitening

• ADA Statement on the Safety and Effectiveness of Tooth Whitening Products
• Tooth Whitening/Bleaching: Treatment Considerations for Dentists and Their Patients (PDF)

Unconventional Dentistry

• ADA Policy on Unconventional Dentistry