As adults, we have all seen the ADA Seal of Acceptance on dozens of products every time we go shopping for our family’s oral health needs. Even, though it is the most trusted Seal in dental care, some patients don’t know the full meaning of the Seal or the process the companies go through to bear this symbol of approval.
The ADA Seal of Acceptance has been the gold standard for dental product safety and efficacy for over 90 years. The American Dental Association (ADA) has been testing, verifying, and awarding the ADA Seal of Acceptance since 1931! This seal has become a recognizable symbol within American households that families truly trust.
How Did The Seal Come To Be?
The American Dental Association has been committed to promoting the safety and efficacy of dental products for over 125 years. In fact, records show that as early as 1866 an ADA committee prepared a statement questioning the extravagant claims made by a toothpaste popular of the era. By the 1930s, there were many fantastical claims about what results certain dental products could produce. The ADA began actively putting those claims to the test and in 1931 the very first Seal of Acceptance was awarded!
In 1984, President Reagan gave the American Dental Association a certificate of commendation for the outstanding self-regulatory efforts put forth by its Seal of Acceptance program. Currently, there are more than 200 over-the-counter dental products available for purchase that carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance. According to the American Dental Association’s requirements, these products can be used with the assurance that they have demonstrated safety and efficacy in accordance will ADA standards.
Parents Look For The Seal!
Studies have shown that over two-thirds of Americans recognize the ADA Seal of Acceptance. In fact, the same studies also highlighted that 70% of customers would pick a product displaying the Seal over an alternative that is not displaying the Seal. This is true regardless of how similar it is in nature and price, with a majority of those surveyed saying they would even pay more for a product with the Seal.
As a parent or a guardian, you see dozens of similar oral health products for children both in stores and online. Making the choice of which to choose can be difficult, regardless of your child’s oral health needs. The Seal makes it easy for families to pick products that they already know the American Dental Association and leading scientists trust enough to recommend.
How Does A Product Recieve The Seal?
Every ADA Seal of Acceptance is awarded by the ADA's Council on Scientific Affairs and is also actively supported by a team of leading scientists in fields such as pharmacology, microbiology, chemistry, and toxicology. This team of scientific experts is independent of the ADA itself, making the ADA Seal the single most trusted mark in oral hygiene for almost a century.
Businesses must apply to have their product considered to carry the Seal. The American Dental Association is quite transparent with these companies throughout the process supplying them with resources, the latest product requirement standards, and the qualifications to get their product tested. Not every dental product that applies will qualify for the Seal. However, if they do qualify the ADA Seal is awarded for a five-year period. Throughout this period additional testing may be required for products.
Who Does The Testing?
The Qualified testing sites that the ADA uses are also required to meet high safety and efficacy standards as well. In order to ensure the ____ of the tests, approved testing facilities must meet an array of qualifications. The testing facility must be fully independent. They must have the resources and capacity to adhere to ADA-designated testing protocols. They must have a history of producing accurate, valid, and reliable data.
Once a facility has applied to be evaluated for “Qualified status.” An independent team of dental experts conducts an onsite inspection of their facilities, reviewing the accuracy of data collection procedures. They also directly consider the experience and training of the directors and staff of the testing facility as well. If the site meets the American Dental Associations' strict testing criteria, it earns “Qualified status.”
How Can You Find Products With The ADA Seal?
When it comes to your family’s health, we know that you want the best for each and every member! This is why the ADA is so dedicated to ensuring that families know what brands are trusted by the leading dental experts themselves. The easiest ways to discover the best oral health products that carry the ADA Seal are…
- Look For the Seal on the Packaging! All dental products that have received the ADA Seal of Acceptance are required to display the seal on the front of their packaging. This easily recognizable silver crest ensures that customers know these are products that their families can trust.
- Look Up the Product On The ADA Seal Guide! The American Dental Association keeps an active list of all the products that have earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance. This is a great resource for any family with the goal of prioritizing their oral health!
There are over two hundred products that are currently on the market that have met the ADA’s standard. So there are plenty of options to choose from based on your family’s unique dental needs.
Dr. Casey Elkins, being a parent, knows what it was like to look for trusted products and brands for her children. This is one of the reasons she believes in offering her patient's parents the resources they need to make the best decisions for their families. If you ever have any questions about the ADA Seal of Acceptance, specific product questions, or even if you are in need of a product recommendation for your child please feel free to reach out. Medical Center Pediatric Dental is committed to helping patients and their parents find the right oral health solutions for their family’s needs!
1 Response