To qualify for Active membership in the Maine Dental Association, a dentist must be licensed and practicing in Maine. Membership is tripartite, meaning dentists must join at the local, state, and national level at the same time. Membership is voluntary, and the MDA traditionally has over a 90% of the practicing dentists in the state as members.

The MDA provides a variety of services to its members, including continuing education opportunities, legislative and regulatory advocacy, and benefits such as group health insurance and practice-enhancing services.

While primarily a professional membership organization, the MDA is involved with a variety of services to the public, including information on dental-related careers; low-interest loans for dental students and dental hygiene students; public awareness/education campaigns, such as National Children’s Dental Health Month; access programs such as Senior-Dent and Donated Dental Services; support of activities/legislation related to public health issues (i.e. community water fluoridation, anti-tobacco education); and voluntary participation in local service programs by individual members.

The ADA and MDA offer reduced dues for certain categories of dentists, including recent graduates, retired dentists and Life members. For more information about joining, a dentist should contact the MDA Central Office at 207-622-7900. MDA staff will verify the proper dues rate and forward a membership application with instructions for completion and submission.