Michigan Dental Association

Michigan Dental Association Michigan's oral health authority dedicated to the public and the profession since 1856.

We couldn’t bring them to Grand Rapids without showing them where it all began.During their visit, Dr. Tom Paumier, Pres...
04/30/2026

We couldn’t bring them to Grand Rapids without showing them where it all began.

During their visit, Dr. Tom Paumier, President-Elect of the American Dental Association, and Dr. Monica Hebl, ADA Trustee for the Ninth District, experienced the birthplace of community water fluoridation—right here in Grand Rapids.

It’s the site where, in 1945, a simple idea changed the trajectory of oral health—and continues to impact millions to this day.

Moments like this remind us how far dentistry has come… and the role leaders like Tom and Monica play in shaping what comes next.

Pictured:
Dr. Melanie Mayberry
Dr. Sarah Tomaka
Dr. Chris Smiley
Dr. Tom Paumier, President-Elect, American Dental Association
Dr. Monica Hebl, ADA Trustee, Ninth District (MI & WI)

04/30/2026

Step into the MDA Member Resource Center—where your past meets your future.

We’ve brought a little nostalgia to the Exhibit Hall with dental school composites from University of Michigan School of Dentistry and University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry 👀

Find your class photo.
Spot some familiar faces.
Relive the memories.

📸 Snap a pic with your composite, post it, and tag the MDA—we want to see you then vs. now.

Swing by, take a break, and reconnect with where it all started.

04/30/2026

The doors are open. The energy is building. And the Exhibit Hall is officially LIVE at the MDA Annual Session.

More than 100 exhibitors are ready to connect—bringing you the latest innovations, tools, and solutions to power your practice forward.

Grab a coffee, take a walk through, and discover what’s new in dentistry. This is where big ideas come to life.

Today, we celebrate an incredible career.After 35 years with the Michigan Dental Association, Dave Foe is retiring — lea...
04/30/2026

Today, we celebrate an incredible career.

After 35 years with the Michigan Dental Association, Dave Foe is retiring — leaving behind a legacy that has shaped how we tell the story of dentistry in Michigan.

As Director of Publications, Dave led the MDA Journal with dedication, precision, and pride — elevating the voices of our members and the profession for decades.

Dave, thank you for your commitment, your leadership, and the lasting impact you’ve made on the MDA.

Congratulations on a well-deserved retirement.

It’s go time.Day 1 of the 2026 MDA Annual Session starts NOW in Grand Rapids — and we’re just getting warmed up.Three da...
04/30/2026

It’s go time.

Day 1 of the 2026 MDA Annual Session starts NOW in Grand Rapids — and we’re just getting warmed up.

Three days. Countless ideas. One incredible community.

If you’re here, you’re in the right place.
If you’re not… there’s still time.

☕ Where Big Ideas Are Brewing

04/29/2026

Grand Rapids, we’re ready for you. 🔥

The booths are going up. The final details are falling into place. And the energy inside the convention center? You can feel it building.

Tomorrow, the 2026 MDA Annual Session officially kicks off in Grand Rapids—and it’s shaping up to be something special.

From high-impact CE… to real conversations with colleagues… to a packed exhibit hall featuring 100+ exhibitors showcasing the latest tools, technology, and solutions for your practice—this is where it all comes together.

If you’re already here, welcome.
If you’re on your way, travel safe.
If you’ve been thinking about it… this is your sign.

Let’s get ready to brew something big. ☕

04/28/2026

Dental school is one thing.

The real world? That’s different.

In Episode 5 of MDA Matters, the Deans of University of Michigan School of Dentistry and University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry break down student debt, career decisions, and what dentists really face after graduation.

🎧 Whether you’re just starting out—or decades into your career—there’s something in this conversation for you.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts—YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

💬 For those who’ve been in the profession—what do you wish you knew starting out?

Advocacy in action.Strong MDA representation in Grand Rapids at the Rep. Steven Wooden Campaign Kickoff—making sure oral...
04/27/2026

Advocacy in action.

Strong MDA representation in Grand Rapids at the Rep. Steven Wooden Campaign Kickoff—making sure oral health priorities are part of the conversation where it matters most.

With a $1B budget shortfall on the table, we’re advocating for:
• Virtual Credit Card legislation
• Healthy Kids + Healthy Michigan
• Pediatric dental OR access through anesthesiology funding

This is why MDA shows up—so dentistry has a voice when decisions are made.

This is how we dental.

Pictured (L–R): John Fitzgerald, Ronjeev Puri, Rep. Steven Wooden, Erick Rupprecht, Colette Smiley, Tamar Shrikian, Chris Smiley.

04/23/2026

Less than a week to go—and your price is about to go up.

We’re heading to Grand Rapids for the 2026 MDA Annual Session—
Where Big Ideas Are Brewing.

Starting April 29:
💥 Full Conference = +$100
💥 Single Day = +$50

This is your last chance to lock in your rate before the energy, ideas, and connections come to life.

Don’t be the one hearing about it after the fact.

👉 Register now: annualsession.michigandental.org

04/22/2026

To our volunteer leaders—thank you.

For showing up.
For stepping up.
For making a difference.

💙

Hiring is one thing. Keeping a great team? That’s where practices win.In the latest Staff Matters column, Jodi Schafer, ...
04/21/2026

Hiring is one thing. Keeping a great team? That’s where practices win.

In the latest Staff Matters column, Jodi Schafer, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, HRM Services shares practical, real-world strategies to onboard new hires the right way—so you can reduce turnover, ease first-day stress, and build a team that actually sticks.

If you’ve felt the strain of hiring lately… this is worth the read.

👉 michigandental.org/mda-journal/current-journal-issue/staff-matters-journal-column/

Behind every smile is a volunteer.The hands that heal. The voices that lead. The people who show up—again and again—to c...
04/20/2026

Behind every smile is a volunteer.

The hands that heal. The voices that lead. The people who show up—again and again—to care for patients, support their peers, and move our profession forward.

From providing care at Mission of Mercy to stepping into leadership roles and shaping the future of dentistry—MDA members make an impact that reaches far beyond the practice.

💙 This week, we celebrate you—and the difference you make every single day.

Address

3657 Okemos Road, Ste 200
Okemos, MI
48864

Telephone

+18005892632

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Our Story

Since its inception more than 160 years ago, the Michigan Dental Association has helped member dentists succeed. From its initial campaign to create a dental school at the University of Michigan and its tireless promotion of strict ethical standards for the profession, the MDA has grown to provide a wide array of services for dentists and dental team members, including continuing education, legislative advocacy, insurance programs, publications, practice management assistance, and endorsed member services. In an ever-changing practice environment, the MDA remains committed to greater success for its members and to protecting and improving the dental health of Michigan residents.