The Indian Dental Association, a premier organization of practising dental professionals in the country. Established in 1946 it carries out several activities aimed at serving the public and the members. IDA also helps the government in designing oral health strategy for the country. It is the platform for interaction and implementation of policies for enrichment of the dental fraternity, students of dentistry and the general public and liaises with the government and other institutional agencies like the dental institutions and the corporate sector involved in oral care services. IDA also associates with non-governmental organizations for better outreach.

IDA operations span the whole country spreading across the State, UT’s and local branches accounting for an overall membership of over 75000 dental professionals and students in the country.

The main focus of IDA is on prevention and interception of dental diseases than cure. By pioneering a strategy of prevention, it educates the people on the importance of oral health for improving the quality of life as also the ill effects of lifestyle changes on oral and systemic health. Its programmes on oral cancer, tobacco cessation, child dental centres are testimony to this.

In an effort to improve the quality of service rendered to the community, it conducts continuing dental education programmes intended to keep its members abreast of the latest practices in dentistry to enhance knowledge and skills of its professionals and discharge its social obligation of improving the quality of service rendered to the community.