ADA treasurer details changes in Association dues
Shifting from growth mindset to sustainability
Editor’s note: ADA Treasurer Cody Graves, D.D.S., M.B.A., wrote a column detailing the House of Delegates’ decision to adjust the full membership dues and what it means for Association members.
The ADA House of Delegates voted Oct. 28 to adjust the full membership dues rate to $627, up from $570.
Why the change?
This update restores the ADA to its 2023 dues level of $600, adds a modest inflationary adjustment of $18 and includes $9 to fund new initiatives approved by the House this year. Every dollar is directed toward strengthening the programs and services you rely on.
What does this mean for you and dentistry?
At the Treasurer’s Summit Oct. 24 in Washington, D.C., I discussed how this adjustment, combined with strict cost controls, is essential to keep the ADA on a sustainable financial path. Over the past few years, the ADA invested heavily in technology, innovation and member-focused programs to meet ambitious growth goals. Further details are available in this open letter to members from the ADA Board of Trustees.
While these efforts advanced our mission, they also increased costs faster than revenue. Recognizing this, the Board acted decisively in early 2025 to reduce spending by more than $20 million, streamline operations and protect the ADA’s long-term health.
Your dues are not just payment — they’re an investment
Dues fund advocacy that protects your profession, cutting-edge resources that keep you ahead, and programs that elevate patient care nationwide. By supporting the ADA, you help ensure dentistry remains strong, innovative, and united. In 2025, the ADA started pumping the brakes on expenses. We shifted from a growth mindset to one focused on sustainability — without compromising the value we deliver to members.
Looking ahead, the 2026 budget will continue this disciplined approach, ensuring your investment works harder for you and for the future of dentistry.
Thank you for standing with us. Together, we’re building a stronger ADA and a stronger profession.
