Who We Are

The West Coast Dental Association is a component of the Florida Dental Association. The FDA is a constituent of the American Dental Association. These three tiers of organized dentistry means the WCDA is part of a tripartite organization dedicated to serving the needs of dentists and their patients. Other Florida components can be viewed by visiting the FDA's component page, and FDA officers page.

WCDDA Heritage

For over one hundred years the West Coast District Dental Association has maintained a significant role in the personal and professional development of dentists. Members are the voice of dentistry in the state of Florida and the nation. Joining this select group indicates focus in a common cause---to produce highly skilled, ethical dentistry, in a caring environment for all patients.

In 1912 a group of Tampa dentists met and organized what was called the Tampa District Dental Society to include a territory extending from Tampa to Lakeland, Manatee County and Pinellas County. It was the first district society formed in the State of Florida.

In 1922 the State Society voted to divide the state into districts and to organize in each district a dental society which should be an integral part of the State and National Societies. Plans were outlined to promote post-graduate clinics for the state annual meetings and semi-annual clinics in each district society. A map of Florida was displayed with heavy outlines of the five districts into which the division committee had decided as most workable and read a list of counties in each.

It was decided that the Tampa District Society merge its activities into the new society called the West Coast District Dental Society. The first meeting of the West Coast District Dental Society was held in Lakeland, Florida, Friday & Saturday, April 7 & 8, 1922. Today, the association supports a two member administrative staff in an office in Tampa, Florida.

The West Coast District has approximately 2000 members spread over a large geographical area from Homosassa to Naples and eastward to Winter Haven and Clewiston.

For additional information on ADA organizational structure, visit http://www.ada.org/en/about-the-ada/national-state-local-dental-societies/.