Last Updated: September 11, 2025

This Privacy Policy explains how the National Dental Association ("NDA," "we," "us" or "our") collects, uses, and protects information about you through our website (ndaonline.org) and related digital services. This policy reflects our commitment to protecting your privacy while advancing our mission to improve oral health equity and support minority dental professionals.

About the National Dental Association

The National Dental Association, founded in 1913, is the largest professional association of minority dentists in the world. We serve over 3,000 Black dentists and represent more than 30 million Black Americans through our 31 state and local chapters throughout the U.S. and Caribbean. As a Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) organization, we are committed to providing high-quality oral healthcare to underserved communities while advancing opportunities for minorities in the dental profession.

Contact Information

National Dental Association
Attn: Executive Director
3517 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20010

Email: info@ndaonline.org
Phone: 202-885-9492

Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

• Membership Information: Name, contact details, practice information, educational background, specialty areas, membership history
• Event Registration: Details for conventions, continuing education courses, and professional meetings
• Professional Profile Data: Career information, practice details, specializations, and professional achievements
• Communication Records: Emails, inquiries, survey responses, and other correspondence
• Financial Information: Payment details for memberships, events, and services (processed securely through third-party providers)

Information Collected Automatically

• Website Analytics: IP addresses, browser information, pages visited, time spent on site, referring websites
• Device Information: Device type, operating system, mobile device identifiers
• Cookies and Tracking Technologies: Session information, user preferences, and website functionality data

Information from Third Parties

• Professional Verification: Licensing information from state dental boards and educational institutions
• Partner Organizations: Information shared by affiliated dental societies and professional organizations
• Social Media: Public profile information when you interact with our social media pages

How We Use Your Information

Advancing Our Mission

• Member Services: Processing memberships, providing access to resources, and delivering professional development opportunities
• Educational Programs: Organizing continuing education courses, conventions, and professional training
• Advocacy and Research: Supporting initiatives to improve oral health equity and address healthcare disparities
• Networking and Mentorship: Connecting members for professional development and career advancement

Professional Directory Services

• Member Directory: Maintaining directories for members to connect with colleagues and for public access to diverse dental professionals
• Referral Services: Helping communities find qualified minority dental professionals
• Academic Partnerships: Supporting recruitment efforts at dental schools and residency programs

Communications

• Professional Updates: Sending newsletters, journal publications, and important announcements
• Event Notifications: Informing you about conventions, CE opportunities, and professional meetings
• Advocacy Alerts: Sharing information about policy initiatives and opportunities for professional engagement

Information Sharing and Disclosure

Within the NDA Network

• Affiliated Organizations: Sharing information with the Student National Dental Association (SNDA), National Dental Hygienists' Association (NDHA), National Dental Assistants Association (NDAA), and Auxiliary National Dental Association
• Chapter Organizations: Providing information to state and local NDA chapters for member services and programming
• NDA Foundation: Supporting scholarship and grant programs through our charitable foundation

Professional Partners

• Continuing Education Providers: Sharing necessary information to process CE credits and certifications
• Industry Partners: Working with dental companies and organizations that support our mission (with appropriate safeguards)
• Research Organizations: Contributing to studies on oral health disparities and professional development (typically using de-identified data)

Service Providers

• Technology Partners: Working with website hosts, email services, and database management companies
• Event Management: Partnering with convention centers, hotels, and event planning services
• Financial Processing: Using secure payment processors for membership dues and event fees

Legal and Safety Requirements

• Legal Compliance: Sharing information as required by law or legal proceedings
• Professional Standards: Reporting information relevant to professional licensing or ethics inquiries when required
• Safety and Security: Protecting against fraud, abuse, or threats to our community

Your Rights and Choices

Membership Directory

• Profile Control: Choose what information appears in public directories
• Opt-Out Options: Remove yourself from public listings while maintaining membership benefits
• Enhanced Profiles: Add additional information like photos and specializations for increased visibility

Communications Preferences

• Email Subscriptions: Choose which types of communications you receive
• Frequency Settings: Adjust how often you receive updates
• Complete Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from non-essential communications while maintaining membership

Data Access and Control

• Data Access: Request copies of your personal information
• Corrections: Update or correct inaccurate information
• Data Portability: Obtain your data in a portable format for transfer to other organizations
• Deletion Requests: Request deletion of non-essential personal information (subject to membership and legal requirements)

Account Management

• Login Credentials: Maintain secure passwords and update account settings
• Profile Updates: Keep your professional information current
• Membership Status: Modify your membership level or participation preferences

Data Security and Protection

Technical Safeguards

• Encryption: Using industry-standard encryption for data transmission and storage
• Access Controls: Limiting data access to authorized personnel with legitimate business needs
• Regular Security Updates: Maintaining current security patches and monitoring systems
• Backup Systems: Implementing secure data backup and recovery procedures

Organizational Safeguards

• Privacy Training: Educating staff on privacy protection and data handling best practices
• Vendor Management: Requiring privacy and security commitments from all service providers
• Incident Response: Maintaining procedures for addressing any potential data breaches
• Regular Audits: Conducting periodic reviews of our privacy and security practices

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality and member login systems
• Analytics Cookies: Helping us understand website usage and improve user experience
• Preference Cookies: Remembering your settings and customization choices
• Marketing Cookies: Supporting our outreach efforts and measuring campaign effectiveness

Third-Party Analytics

• Google Analytics: Using privacy-focused analytics to understand website performance
• Social Media Platforms: Enabling social sharing and measuring engagement
• Email Analytics: Tracking email delivery and engagement for communication optimization

Your Cookie Choices

• Browser Settings: Configure your browser to block or delete cookies
• Opt-Out Tools: Use industry opt-out mechanisms for advertising cookies
• Granular Controls: Choose specific types of cookies through our preference center

International Members and Data Transfers

Global Membership

• International Expansion: Supporting members in Canada, Caribbean, Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Latin America
• Data Transfers: Implementing appropriate safeguards for international data transfers
• Local Compliance: Respecting privacy laws in jurisdictions where we operate
• Cross-Border Cooperation: Working with international dental organizations while protecting member privacy

Children's Privacy

The NDA does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. Our services are designed for dental professionals, students, and adults interested in oral health advocacy. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. We will:

• Notify Members: Send advance notice of significant changes via email
• Website Updates: Post the current version prominently on our website
• Effective Dates: Clearly indicate when changes take effect
• Archive Versions: Maintain previous versions for reference

Professional Ethics and Confidentiality

As a professional organization serving healthcare providers, we understand the importance of confidentiality and ethical data handling. Our privacy practices align with:

• Professional Standards: Dental professional ethics and confidentiality requirements
• Healthcare Privacy: Principles from healthcare privacy regulations
• Professional Development: Supporting career advancement while protecting professional reputation
• Community Trust: Maintaining the trust of the communities we serve

Specialized Programs and Data Use

Student National Dental Association (SNDA)

• Student Support: Providing mentorship and networking opportunities for dental students
• Academic Partnerships: Working with dental schools to support minority student recruitment and retention
• Scholarship Programs: Administering financial aid and merit-based awards

Research and Advocacy

• Health Disparities Research: Contributing to studies on oral health inequities (using aggregated, de-identified data)
• Policy Advocacy: Supporting legislative and regulatory initiatives to improve oral healthcare access
• Professional Development Studies: Researching career advancement and barriers in the dental profession

Community Outreach

• Public Health Initiatives: Supporting community oral health programs and screenings
• Education Campaigns: Promoting oral health awareness in underserved communities
• Professional Visibility: Highlighting the contributions of minority dental professionals

Questions and Complaints

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or concerns about how we handle your information:

1. Contact Us Directly: Use the contact information provided above
2. Written Inquiries: Send detailed questions to our Privacy Officer
3. Resolution Process: We will investigate and respond to privacy concerns promptly
4. Escalation: If unsatisfied with our response, you may have additional rights under applicable privacy laws

Acknowledgment

By using our website and services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy. For NDA members, this policy supplements but does not replace the privacy provisions in your membership agreement.

The National Dental Association is committed to protecting your privacy while advancing oral health equity and supporting the professional development of minority dental professionals. For over 112 years, we have served our community with integrity and excellence, and this commitment extends to how we protect and use your personal information.

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