ADA governance evaluation town hall gathers feedback from more than 600 attendees
Evaluation expands on previous studies by examining governance, finance, accountability
More than 600 stakeholders came together to discuss the American Dental Association’s governance and organizational health evaluation during a town hall Oct. 9 in Indianapolis.
The event was open to ADA delegates and alternate delegates, state executive directors, state dental leaders, early career dentists, past ADA leaders and anyone else registered to attend the 2026 ADA House of Delegates meeting from Oct. 10-13.
The evaluation, which was authorized by House Resolution 521H-2025, expands on previous governance studies by examining not only the ADA’s governance structure but also its financial health and sustainability as well as its leadership and management culture and accountability.
Since the evaluation work began in April, consulting firm Vista Cova, which was engaged by the ADA to conduct the evaluation, reviewed more than 1,000 documents and collected input from thousands of stakeholders through surveys, interviews and focus groups. It then prepared three research reports addressing governance, financial assessment and sustainability, and accountability and leadership culture.
The reports include findings from Vista Cova’s 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.
During the town hall, the firm reviewed report findings and preliminary recommendations and solicited feedback from attendees. Only the finance report contained recommendations ahead of the town hall, so much of the engagement activity at the event was designed to gather input to further develop recommendations for governance and accountability.
The reports — along with a cover memo from Vista Cova, a message from ADA Executive Director Nader Nadershahi, D.D.S., M.B.A., Ed.D., and supplemental reports from the ADA — are available on the ADA website. Report and town hall findings will be discussed in future messages from ADA leaders to delegates and reported on by the ADA News.
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 receive a final report from the Board that will include the Vista Cova materials and any appropriate resolutions for House consideration.
