Component Interest Groups

Special Care Dentistry Association is proud to bring together professionals from the American Association of Hospital Dentists (AAHD), the Academy of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities (ADPD) and the American Society for Geriatric Dentistry (ASGD).

Because many of the goals and activities of these three practice areas overlap, the component groups joined forces and formed SCDA. By fully integrating these groups, SCDA benefits its members – and the patients they serve – by having a united leadership and a single mission.

AAHD

The American Association of Hospital Dentists (AAHD) has grown from a handful of committed practitioners in 1937 to a national membership approaching 1,000 today. Working together, we have turned challenges into opportunities to ensure excellence in current clinical dental practice and to promote the highest educational standards for your personal and professional growth.

ADPD

Dentistry for people with special needs is a personally rewarding experience that tests the creativity and resourcefulness of the clinician. Membership in the Academy of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities (ADPD) provides technical and moral support for clinicians and facilitates networking among caring, involved peers.

ASGD

The Mission of the American Society of Geriatric Dentistry (ASGD) is to promote oral health and well being for older adults through collaborative education, advocacy, research and service.  ASGD was formed to provide an organization for dental practitioners, dental auxiliary personnel, allied health personnel and others interested in the oral healthcare of older adults

Objectives:

  • To be a source of information about geriatric oral health for healthcare providers and the public.
  • To provide guidance for educational programs in order to enhance the practice of geriatric oral healthcare.
  • To advocate for training programs and legislation in order to improve the oral health of older adults.
  • To collaborate with other organizations that share the goal of improving access to care and optimizing the overall health of older adults.