Do you feel overwhelmed when browsing the oral care aisle? How are you supposed to pick out the best products for you and your family? Looking for the ADA Seal of Acceptance is a good place to start.

What is the ADA Seal of Acceptance?

The American Dental Association has promoted the safety and efficacy of dental products since as early as 1866. Even back then, the ADA was committed to questioning the extravagant claims made by tooth powders and pastes of the time.

Then, in 1930, the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs created formal guidelines for evaluating dental products for safety and effectiveness. The Council awarded its first Seal of Acceptance in 1931.

Today, over 200 non-prescription dental products carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Dentists can recommend these products, and consumers can use them with confidence, knowing they have passed tests and met rigorous requirements that prove they deliver the promises made on the label.

What is the Value of the ADA Seal?

Participating in the ADA Seal program is not mandatory. Distributors and manufacturers request to have their products evaluated and pay thousands of dollars in submission and maintenance fees because they understand the value of having the ADA Seal of Acceptance on their products.

In 2017, the ADA conducted a consumer survey to determine the public’s view on the ADA Seal. Two-thirds of respondents felt that the presence of the ADA Seal simplified the purchasing decision. Seven out of 10 said they would choose an Accepted product over one without the Seal.

These results show that consumers recognize the ADA Seal of Acceptance as a symbol of safety and efficacy. The ADA even received official recognition from President Ronald Reagan in 1984, who praised the Association for its outstanding self-regulatory efforts.

How Does a Dental Product Qualify for the ADA Seal of Acceptance?

Companies that choose to apply for the Seal devote significant resources to testing and marketing their products. Dental products submitted to the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs must include the results of clinical or laboratory studies that demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the product according to its category requirements.

Members of the Council review the submission, evaluating it against published technical standards, ADA requirements, and ANSI/ADA and ISO specifications. The Council may also consult with experts in specific areas if necessary. Consultants to the ADA include microbiologists, pharmacologists, toxicologist, chemists, and dental material experts.

It’s important to know that not all submissions qualify for the ADA Seal of Acceptance. After all, the ADA asks companies to meet standards that are higher than what is required by law. Only if a product meets stringent guidelines regarding safety, efficacy, composition, labeling, package inserts, advertising, and other promotional material does the ADA offer its acceptance and allow a product to display the ADA Seal on its packaging.

The Seal of Acceptance is awarded for a period of five years. If the composition of a product changes within this period, the manufacturer must submit updated safety and chemical data before marketing the new product with the Seal. Additional testing may be required if the Council determines that the changes could potentially affect the safety or efficacy of the product.

If a submitted product is deemed obsolete, inferior, ineffective, or dangerous to public health, the ADA Council will declare it unacceptable. The Council may also provide reports for publication in The Journal of the American Dental Association or another similar medium to get the word out to the public.

What Dental Products Can Earn the Seal of Acceptance?

The American Dental Association reviews all sorts of dental therapeutic agents. The first requirement is for the US Food and Drug Administration to approve the product for marketing directly to consumers. Anything promoted as a therapeutic agent, drug, chemical, cosmetic product, material, instrument, or equipment used to treat or prevent dental disease can be considered for the Seal.

Check for the ADA Seal of Acceptance when you shop for the following products:

• Toothpastes
• Electric and manual toothbrushes
• Water flossers
• Mouth rinses
• White strips and other bleaching products
• Denture adhesives and cleaners
• Sports mouthguards
• Emergency tooth preservation products
• Dental pain relief products
• Water filters
• Sugar-free chewing gum

Combine High-Quality Dental Products with Routine Dentist Visits

There’s no doubt that using products labeled with the ADA Seal of Acceptance can help keep your mouth healthy. However, at-home care isn’t enough to keep your smile bright and beautiful. You should also schedule routine dentist visits for the professional cleanings, oral exams, and X-rays you need to keep on top of your oral health.

If you’re looking for a dentist in Boulder, CO, consider Dr. Ania. We belong to several prestigious organizations, including the American Dental Association, so we’re well-equipped to help you choose products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

For answers to your remaining questions, or to schedule an appointment, please call Dr. Ania’s dentist office at 303-443-0998.