ADA governance evaluation reports available on ADA website

Town hall coming up Oct. 9 in Indianapolis

Three research reports related to the American Dental Association’s governance and organizational health evaluation are available on the ADA website.

The reports, prepared by consulting firm Vista Cova, address governance, financial assessment and sustainability, and accountability and leadership culture — the three topic areas outlined in House Resolution 521H-2025, which authorized the evaluation. Other materials available online include Vista Cova’s cover memo for the reports, a message from the ADA executive director and supplemental reports from the ADA.

Since the evaluation began in April, Vista Cova has reviewed more than 1,000 documents and collected input from thousands of stakeholders through surveys, interviews and focus groups. The firm’s reports include findings from this research process and incorporate best practices from organizations similar to the ADA, offering external benchmarks to weigh against the Association's current structures and processes.

“Every finding reflects the experience or perspective of someone within the ADA community, and whether or not it aligns with your own, it represents part of the broader picture we've been asked to understand,” ADA President Richard Rosato, D.M.D., and Executive Director Nader Nadershahi, D.D.S., M.B.A., Ed.D., wrote in their latest monthly update to ADA House of Delegates members. “Our responsibility going forward is not to determine whose experience is ‘right,’ but to discern what will best strengthen the ADA in service of its mission and future.”

The Sept. 30 email will be the last update sent before the Governance and Organizational Health Evaluation Town Hall taking place Oct. 9 in Indianapolis ahead of the 2026 House of Delegates. It is open to ADA delegates and alternate delegates, state executive directors, state dental leaders, early career dentists, past ADA leaders and anyone else who is registered to attend the House.

During the town hall, Vista Cova will review report findings and preliminary recommendations and solicit feedback from attendees. At this point, recommendations are only available from the finance report, but much of the engagement activity at the town hall is designed to gather input to further develop recommendations for governance and accountability.

“As recommendations based on your feedback emerge over the next few months, it is important to recognize that approving a recommendation and fully implementing it are two different steps,” Drs. Rosato and Nadershahi wrote. “Governance changes require thoughtful planning, proper sequencing, and time to take effect. The implementation process will vary depending on the type of change, with different approval requirements and timelines for amendments to the Bylaws, policies, committee structures, leadership practices, and operational procedures.”

Vista Cova is expected to finalize its recommendations in December with input from the Governance and Organizational Workgroup, the group of 21 ADA representatives and other stakeholders advising the firm. The ADA Board of Trustees will then consider the recommendations in January 2027.

Following the Board’s consideration and leading up to October 2027, the ADA plans to launch broadscale efforts to communicate the final recommendations. During this time, the Board and executive director may take action on items that fall within their respective purviews.

In October 2027, the House will consider a final report from the Board with proposed resolutions and review Vista Cova’s final report and recommendations.

“While recommendations will be developed throughout this year, 2027 should be understood as the beginning of the implementation process rather than its conclusion,” Drs. Rosato and Nadershahi wrote. “Some changes may be realized quickly; others may take several years to fully integrate. The goal should not be speed for its own sake, but sustained progress at the right pace for each area of change, allowing the ADA and tripartite to move forward deliberately, learn along the way, and build meaningful change that can endure.”