G ove r n men t Re lat ions
SoftEdge provides innovative advocacy experience for PDA members
PDA adopted the new and improved SoftEdge for its comprehensive grassroots advocacy and legislative outreach software. This
customized software meets our specific needs at PDA and helps us effectively communicate our members’ legislative priorities to
the PA House and Senate. Through SoftEdge, our lobbyists can visit the Capitol with the confidence that we are well-prepared to
interact with legislators and staff on issues important to PDA. The tool is quick and easy for our members. Check out the Advocacy
section of PDA’s website and learn to communicate with your state lawmakers quickly and effectively.
Did You Know? – ADA Seal of Acceptance that applies will meet the strict qualifications for the Seal.
The American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance currently
appears on over 200 oral health products from mouth rinse
to chewing gum, and is designed to help both consumers and
dental professionals make informed decisions about the
overall safety and efficacy of consumer products. Research
conducted by the ADA has shown that the appearance of the
Seal of Acceptance directly affects the purchase decisions of
consumers. Consumers recognize the ADA Seal of Acceptance
as a symbol of safety and efficacy.
• 63% of consumers said the ADA Seal simplifies their
purchasing decision
• 73% of consumers said they preferred products with the Seal
• 69% of consumers said they would pay more for an oral
care product that displays the Seal When necessary, the Council will utilize consultants with
specific areas of expertise relevant to evaluating dental
products, including dental materials, microbiology,
pharmacology, toxicology and chemistry.
As far back as 1866, an ADA committee prepared a statement
on toothpaste, which questioned the truthfulness of
extravagant claims being made about patient tooth powders
and other dental nostrums of the time. By the 1930s,
consumers were inundated with exaggerated advertising
claims about what dental products could do. In response,
ADA adopted guidelines to evaluate the safety and efficacy of
these products. In 1931, the first ADA Seal of Acceptance was
awarded.
In 1984, President Ronald Regan presented ADA with a
certificate of commendation for its self-regulatory efforts
thr ough the Seal of Acceptance Program.
So how does a product receive the ADA Seal of Acceptance?
Product submissions to the program are reviewed by members
of the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs for adherence to
product category requirements. Companies applying for a
Seal commit significant resources in order to test and market
products in the program; all product submissions must
include data from clinical and/or laboratory studies that
demonstrate both safety and efficacy according to the
requirements developed by the ADA Council on Scientific
Affairs. Only after a product has demonstrated its safety and
efficacy will it be awarded a Seal. Not every dental product
Once a product is awarded a Seal of Acceptance, it is good for
a five year time period. If during that period, the composition
of an accepted product changes, the company must submit
updated chemical and safety data information before the new
formula can be marketed with the Seal. The Council on
Scientific Affairs may require additional testing if the changes
make could potential affect a products safety or efficacy.
Participation in the ADA Seal program is completely voluntary.
The ADA Seal is never sold, and no profit goes to the ADA
when a company earns the seal. The ADA seal is not an
endorsement of particular products, but rather it is designed
to help you know that claims made on the label are true, and
do what they say. ADA requires that accepted products
display the Seal logo and statement on product packaging in
accordance to ADA Seal Brand Standards. The statement
allows consumers to review product attributes that are
accepted by the ADA Council. In 2016, ADA revised the Seal
statement to make it shorter and more consumer friendly.
Each year, ADA received inquiries about potential and existing
ADA Seal products. ADA also answers questions for dentists
and dental team members, the media and the public about
the Seal of Acceptance’s evaluation process and specific
accepted products. ADA’s goal is keep oral health at the
forefront of public awareness and be a resource for consumers
looking for the best products to help maintain good oral
health and prevent disease.
For a complete listing of current ADA Seal of Acceptance
products visit: http://www.ada.org/en/science-research/
ada-seal-of-acceptance/ada-seal-shopping-list
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