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Texas Dental Association (TDA)

Overview

The Texas Dental Association (TDA), founded in 1871, is one of the oldest and largest state dental associations in the country. With over 9,000 members and 26 local component societies, it plays a vital role in supporting dentists and advocating for oral health in Texas. Headquartered in Austin, the TDA provides legislative advocacy, continuing education, and professional development.

Mission and Purpose

Mission: Helping all TDA Member Dentists Succeed.

Purpose: To promote the art and science of dentistry, support its members, advocate for the profession, and protect the public by upholding high standards and influencing public policy.

Governance

The TDA is governed by:

Board of Directors: 15 voting members and 2 non-voting ex officio members
House of Delegates: 141 delegates representing 26 component societies and key stakeholders
Councils and Committees: Policy-making groups studying and recommending changes

The association is led by Executive Director Linda Brady and supported by a staff of 20–26 professionals.

Publications and Communication

TDA publishes the Texas Dental Journal, the oldest continuously operating dental periodical in the Americas (since 1883). It provides scientific articles, association news, and policy updates for members.

Advocacy and Legislation

TDA has been a leader in shaping Texas dental policy since the 1800s. Key initiatives include:

Ensuring only dentists can own dental practices in Texas
Advocating for increased Medicaid dental funding
Opposing non-dentist interference in clinical decision-making
Supporting strong regulatory standards for licensure and practice
Engaging with legislators to improve access to care

Programs and Services

TDA supports its members through:

TDA Annual Session: Combines networking, legislative action, and CE courses
Continuing Education: CE opportunities to help dentists maintain licensure and enhance skills
Practice Support: Legal, regulatory, and operational guidance for Texas practices
Public Health: Advocacy and education initiatives supporting community oral health

Historical Highlights

First president: Dr. Menard M. Michau (Houston); early meetings date to 1869
Helped create the State Board of Dental Examiners
Instrumental in establishing legal safeguards against unqualified practice
Many TDA leaders have also served as ADA presidents

Summary Table

Texas Dental Association at a Glance
Aspect	Details
Founded	1871
Members	9,000+ dentists
Component Societies	26, grouped into 4 divisions
Key Publication	Texas Dental Journal
Governance	Board of Directors, House of Delegates, Committees
Annual Event	TDA Annual Session with CE and legislation
Executive Director	Linda Brady
Headquarters	8701 W Hwy 71 Ste 201-M, Austin, TX 78735
Phone	512-443-3675
Website	tda.org

Component Dental Societies

The Texas Dental Association includes the following 26 local component societies:

Abilene District Dental Society
Brazos Valley District Dental Society
Capitol Area Dental Society
Central Texas Dental Society
Coastal Bend Dental Society
Corpus Christi District Dental Society
Dallas County Dental Society
East Texas Dental Society
El Paso District Dental Society
Fort Worth District Dental Society
Greater Houston Dental Society
Guadalupe Valley District Dental Society
Heart of Texas Dental Society
Hidalgo District Dental Society
Houston Hispanic Dental Association
Laredo District Dental Society
North Texas Dental Society
North Plains District Dental Society
Panhandle District Dental Society
San Antonio District Dental Society
Southeast Texas Dental Society
Southwest Texas District Dental Society
Tarrant County Dental Society
Third District Dental Society
West Texas District Dental Society
Wichita District Dental Society

Each society supports continuing education, peer networking, and advocacy at the local level.

Texas Dental Association (TDA)