• I-1 Fluoridation (1973, revised 1988, 1999, 2020, 2021)

    The American Student Dental Association encourages the fluoridation of community water supplies at optimal levels as determined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ASDA supports the use of fluoridated products as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

  • I-2 Vaccination of Dental Students (1983, revised 2021)

    The American Student Dental Association supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s current recommendation that dental students be vaccinated, given their risk for contracting serious, and sometimes deadly, diseases. ASDA also encourages dental schools to provide and help subsidize vaccine-preventable disease screening and vaccine administration.
  • I-3 Patient Vaccine Education (2020)

    The American student Dental Association supports compliance with current Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for vaccines. 

    ASDA recommends that dental schools urge patients to follow CDC guidelines for vaccines. 

    ASDA encourages dental schools to provide patient education on vaccines as a scientifically-proven safe and effective measure of preventing communicable diseases.
  • I-4 Tobacco, Vaping and Alternatives (2020)

    The American Student Dental Association discourages the use of tobacco, e-cigarettes, vaping products and alternatives. ASDA encourages federal research agencies to dedicate more resources to better understand the effects of these products on oral health and to develop evidence-based recommendations. 
  • I-5 Smoking Ban at ASDA Functions (1988, revised 1992, 2021)

    The American Student Dental Association prohibits the use of recreational tobacco, e-cigarettes, vaping products and alternatives at its national meetings.

  • I-6 Prohibition of Smoking in All Dental School Facilities (1990, 2020)

    The American Student Dental Association supports the prohibition of tobacco, e-cigarettes, vaping products and alternatives in all dental school facilities and supports the offering of smoking cessation programs at all dental schools.

  • I-7 Amalgam Restorations (1990)

    It is the position of the American Student Dental Association that, based on available scientific data, the continued use of amalgam as a restorative material does not pose a health hazard to the non-allergic patient. The removal of clinically serviceable dental amalgam restorations solely to substitute a material that does not contain mercury is unwarranted, improper, unethical and intentional misrepresentation to the patient.

     
  • I-8 Universal Infection Control Procedures (1991, revised 1992)

    The American Student Dental Association supports compliance with current infection control precautions as advocated by the American Dental Association.
  • I-9 Disclosure and Testing of Bloodborne Pathogens of Health Care Providers (1991, revised 1993, 2016)

    The American Student Dental Association is opposed to mandatory testing of bloodborne pathogens including but not limited to HIV, HBV, and HCV of all health care providers.
  • I-10 Sharps Exposure/Bloodborne Pathogens Policy (2015)

    The American Student Dental Association encourages all dental schools to provide a transparent and comprehensive Sharps Exposure/Bloodborne Pathogens policy including, but not limited to:

    1. A definition of exposure;
    2. A procedure to follow in case of exposure including, but not limited to:
      1. An appropriate timeframe to complete post-exposure assessment
      2. What the student should do during business hours, after-hours and/or at an off-site location
      3. Locations and protocol to obtain post-exposure assessment and follow up care;
    3. Administrative contact information, including an after-hours number;
    4. Whether the school will cover the costs of blood draw and/or antiretroviral therapy for the student, the amount covered, and how to apply for the coverage;
    5. An annual review of the policy at the start of each academic year.