MISSION
The SA Dental Association, in its commitment to the promotion and provision of oral health care services of the highest professional and ethical standards, will guard the interests and rights and vigorously address the oral health needs of the community and the concern of its members

The Association believes that Health Care is a basic Human Right which should be available to all people irrespective of gender, race, colour, political belief, religion or socio-economic status.

We publish

	the monthly "South African Dental Journal" [SADJ], a communication tool on everyday dentistry and a forum for publishing clinical and scientific articles, for which Continuing Professional Development [CPD] points can be earned other useful publications for the profession and the public
	We arrange continuing education courses [including a five-yearly international Congress] and accredit courses for CPD points.

We confer and negotiate on your behalf with

	The medical schemes movement
	Managed health care organizations
	Governmental departments
	The Health Professions
	Council Dental traders
	Dental manufacturers
	Dental technician representative bodies
	Auxiliary dental personnel representative bodies
	The Committee of Dental Deans
	The Professional Provident Society
	The College of Medicine Faculty of Dentistry
	Indemnity orgnisations

We maintain fellowship with, inter alia

	National dental associations abroad
	Associations representing other professions
	The International Dental Federation [FDI]
	The Commonwealth Dental Association

We investigate and accredit

	Dental products
	Professional liability cover
	Practice insurance
	Vehicle financing schemes
	Continuing education courses run by commercial companies

We initiate public dental awareness programmes, e.g.

	National Oral Health Week
	Marketing of Dentistry Workshop, etc.
	Our homepage on the Internet: www.sadanet.co.za

We inform and assist members regarding relevant legislation, e.g.

	The Medical Schemes Act
	Dental Technicians Act
	Basic Conditions of Employment Act
	Income Tax Act

Through our Regional Organizations members can

	Attend local lectures and meetings where they can air their views
	Obtain assistance and information from regional secretaries
	Benefit from the Peer Review system
	Enjoy the camaraderie of their colleagues

We have a legal advisor to assist members with legal matters

Through the company which we founded, ORALnet, we ensure that members only enter contractual agreements with third party funders that are to their advantage. The company also offers private practitioners many other advantageous benefits.

Through our Student Bursary Trust Fund, we arrange financial assistance for dental students.

We have a Benevolent Fund, created from members' voluntary contributions, which provides for dentists, or their dependants, who are in dire financial straits

Through the Research, Education and Development Trust and the Dentistry Development Trust, we make grants to fund lecture tours of South Africa by overseas lecturers, for SADA members to undertake research projects, overseas study trips, attend overseas conferences and for Regional Organizations to host lectures by South African experts.

We administer an awards scheme designed to acknowledge meritorious service by individuals within, and associated with, the dental profession.

We provide members with general advice and guidance on every aspect of dental practice. Our motto is "We are here for you."