Association of State and Territorial Dental ... Health Article

ASSOCIATION OF STATE AND TERRITORIAL DENTAL DIRECTORS

The Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) is a national, nonprofit organization representing state and territorial oral-health program directors. The ASTDD provides leadership to formulate and promote sound national oral-health policy, to increase awareness of oral-health issues, and to assist in the development of initiatives for the prevention and control of oral diseases. The association builds awareness and strengthens dental public health professionals' knowledge and skills by developing position papers and policy statements on oral health issues, conducting special studies on dental public health practices, providing information on oral health to health officials and policy makers, publishing a quarterly newsletter, and conducting conferences for the dental public health community.

The association is an affiliate of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). Founded in 1948, the ASTDD is committed to maintaining a strong oral-health presence in state and territorial governments to assure optimal oral health. Full voting membership is open to the chief executive officer for dental health from the department of health or equivalent agency in each state or territory. Associate membership is open to public health agencies, voluntary organizations, tribal entities, and health professionals employed or interested in the area of dental public health programs. A seven-member executive committee serves as the administrative body for the association.

KATHLEEN A. MANGSKAU

(SEE ALSO: Association of State and Territorial Health Officials; Oral Health)