In 1930, new dental products were arising, as well as extravagant claims about what they could do. The American Dental Association (ADA) took it upon themselves to adopt guidelines to evaluate dental products for safety and effectiveness. The ADA Seal of Acceptance program began in 1931, when the first ADA Seal of Acceptance was awarded. President Ronald Reagan awarded the Association a certificate of commendation in 1984. Today, more than 300 dental products carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance, including toothpaste, manual and electronic toothbrushes, dental flosses, and mouthwash.
When you see the ADA Seal of Acceptance on a dental product, you can trust that it is safe and effective. You can also trust that the product does what it says. Not every product that applies for the seal is accepted. Certain requirements must be met for a product to bear the seal. When a company applies for the seal, they must:
• Submit a list of ingredients and other product information for review.
• Supply data and laboratory studies that support the safety, effectiveness, and promotional claims of the product.
• Conduct clinical trials that are in accordance with ADA guidelines and procedures.
• Show that their manufacturing and laboratory facilities are supervised properly and that they provide purity and uniformity of the product.
• Submit product packaging and labeling for review.
Once a product earns the ADA Seal of Acceptance, the process is not over. The ADA Seal is only awarded for a five-year period, at the end of which the company must reapply. If the company changes the product in any way, they must reapply for the ADA Seal.
The next time you are shopping for toothpaste or mouthwash, look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance. It’s like having your dentist shop with you! Feel free to contact our office today to learn more about ADA accepted dental products.