Dr. Richard Rosato: Leading Dentistry Forward, Together
Dr. Richard Rosato
ADA President
As the 162nd President of the American Dental Association (ADA), I see this era of our profession as one filled with possibility for our patients and for dentistry’s future.
Dentistry is changing quickly, and the decisions we make now will shape our path forward. Challenges may persist, but so does the opportunity in front of us.
Technology, new care models, and workforce shifts are transforming our landscape. At the same time, dentistry’s core values are being tested, and our perspectives are too often left out of health care policy discussions, as millions of Americans lack access to quality oral health care.
This is a turning point. It calls upon our profession to unite in purpose and lead differently on behalf of everyone we serve.
During my term as ADA President, my goal is to turn that purpose into action — by listening to every voice and focusing on what dentists need to succeed today and for generations to come.
Focusing on What Matters Most
At the ADA, we’re turning the page and sharpening our focus on what we do best: supporting our members and advancing public health.
Workforce shortages, rising costs, insurance barriers, and educational debt continue to place real pressure on dentists and their well-being. And rapid changes in key areas, including student loan policies and regulatory requirements, have made an already complex environment harder to navigate.
That’s why — through strong advocacy, trusted science, practice resources, and more personalized member service — the ADA is working to support dentists where it matters most.
On the advocacy front, the ADA continues to serve as a strong, unified voice for dentistry in health care policy — advocating for real solutions to improve access to care, reform dental insurance, strengthen the workforce, and alleviate educational debt. That advocacy also means standing up for science (including protecting community water fluoridation) and opposing policies that would place added strain on practices.
That focus on science continues through the ADA’s leadership in research and innovation. Through the ADA Living Guideline Program and the work of the ADA Forsyth Institute, dentists have access to trusted, evidence-informed guidance and cutting-edge research that support high-quality care in an evolving landscape.
We are focused on delivering real value no matter how you practice or serve this profession.
Through practice resources and collaborations, we are meeting dentists where they are, providing tools, education, and support to navigate the day-to-day realities of practice, education, and professional life. Collaborations with organizations like the Academy for Private Dental Practice (APDP) help private dentists preserve clinical autonomy and support sustainable practices, while the ADA Task Force on Specialty Engagement is strengthening collaboration with recognized specialty organizations across the profession.
Ethics guidance on timely issues like clinical autonomy and water fluoridation helps dentists make decisions in the best interest of their patients. Financial tools like the ADA Credit Union, combined with student debt and wellness resources, further support members as they navigate financial pressures and protect their well-being.
At the same time, long-term financial sustainability remains a priority, so the ADA can continue delivering the quality services, resources, and benefits our members rely on.
With a strong foundation in place, we’re focused not just on today’s realities, but on preparing for what’s ahead.
Oral Health 2050: Building a Roadmap for the Future
One of my priorities as ADA President is to be relentlessly creative in how we prepare for the future. That commitment is reflected in Oral Health 2050, a signature initiative of my presidency.
Oral Health 2050 is a strategic effort to develop a forward-looking roadmap for dentistry’s next 25 years. Led by the ADA’s Task Force on the Future of Dentistry, it brings together perspectives from across the profession to explore key areas, including payment models, delivery of care, wellness, technology, and dentistry’s role in the broader health care system.
The result will be a Future of Dentistry study that reflects our collective voice and helps guide decision-making for years to come.
Oral Health 2050 is not just a vision for the future; it’s an invitation to unite in creating it.
Moving Forward Together
Across the tripartite, our greatest strength is our ability to move forward together. We have an opportunity to work collectively to make a lasting impact for those we serve — now and in the future. As your national association, the ADA has both the responsibility and the opportunity to help lead that work and shape what comes next.
The road to 2050 begins with what we do today. Our foundation is strong. Our mission is clear. And our values will continue to guide us forward.
United in purpose, we are shaping the future of dentistry.
This article originally appeared in Issue 1, 2026 of the WSDA News.
