About Us

The Ontario Dental Association (ODA) has been the voluntary professional association for dentists in Ontario since 1867. Today, we represent more than 10,000, or nine in 10, dentists across the province. The ODA is Ontario’s primary source of information on oral health and the dental profession.

Through inspired leadership, the ODA advocates for its members, promotes optimal oral health, and supports successful professional lives and general well-being. To achieve this, we:

• Promote the highest standards of dental care.
• Work with governments, the private sector and other health-care professionals.
• Advocate on public policies that affect the practice of dentistry and the oral health of people in Ontario.
• Raise public awareness of how important oral hygiene is and its connection to overall health.
• Provide our member-dentists with programs, services and products to support their role as leaders of the oral health care team.

The ODA is a member of the Canadian Dental Association.

Our History

On January 23, 1868, a bill was presented to the new Ontario legislature to regulate the practice of dentistry in Ontario. An Act Respecting Dentistry was passed on March 3, 1868 and full powers of licensing and regulating were placed in the hands of the dental profession.

The Act was the first legislation in the world to grant self-regulation to dentists. Prior to the Act, frauds and imposters with little-to-no medical knowledge and skills advertised themselves as dentists. In the absence of any standards and regulations, the public had no means to distinguish good dentistry from bad, and it put them in danger of injury, infection and even death.

In 2017, we celebrated the anniversary of the Act, the formation of the ODA and 150 years of leading oral health in Ontario. Find out more about the history of dentistry in Ontario and the ODA at 150.oda.ca.

Our Mission

Through inspired leadership, the Ontario Dental Association advocates for its members, promotes optimal oral health, and supports successful professional lives and general well-being.

Read our 2025-2028 Strategic Plan.

Our Vision

To be the most trusted leader in the dental profession.

Our Values

Excellence
Teamwork
Honesty
Inclusiveness
Compassion
Accountability
Leadership

Our Workplace Values

The difference between the ODA and the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario

In Ontario, the dental profession is supported by a regulatory body, the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO), and a professional association, the ODA. Download the RCDSO and ODA: Understanding Their Unique Roles fact sheet, which presents the distinct roles and responsibilities and unique functions and objectives each organization holds within the profession.