About NYSDA

About NYSDA

Celebrating over 140 years of service to dentistry and the public

The New York State Dental Association (NYSDA) has been the voice for the dental profession in New York State since its founding in 1868. With 14,000 members (76 percent of practicing dentists in the state), NYSDA is one of the largest state constituents of the American Dental Association.

NYSDA provides its members with a powerful presence in the Legislature, business development programs, peer review, a clinical journal and educational and scientific programs that promote the art and science of dentistry.

Members of organized dentistry in New York State belong to a tripartite association that includes NYSDA, a local component society and the American Dental Association.

NYSDA is headquartered in a modern office building on the sixth floor of 20 Corporate Woods Boulevard in Albany, New York. The association is conveniently located within a five minute drive of the New York State Capitol, the State Legislative Office Building, City Hall and the State Court of Appeals. Its staff of 22 develops and carries out programs for the profession and the public and responds to member inquiries.

A Tradition of Caring
NYSDA is dedicated to ensuring the highest level of dental care for the people of New York State and sponsors award-winning dental health programs for the public.

Does NYSDA grant dental licenses?
NYSDA does not license dentists in New York State. The New York State Education Department Office of the Professions oversees the preparation, licensure and practice of the profession of dentistry, along with 47 other professions.
More: http://www.op.nysed.gov/dent.htm

Find a dentist in New York State who is a NYSDA member 

What is Peer Review?

Peer Review provides a confidential, impartial and timely mechanism to resolve disputes about appropriateness of treatment and the quality of care rendered by NYSDA-member dentists. There is no cost for this service.

Concerned about your care?

When you choose a NYSDA member, your dentist is committed to providing the highest quality dental treatment possible. If you have a concern about the care provided to you, the first thing you should do is go back to your dentist. Often discomfort after treatment can be fixed with an adjustment or additional care.

NYSDA Peer Review Committees resolve disputes about the quality of care and appropriateness of treatment rendered by its member dentists. They review and mediate disputes among patients and dentists.

Fee dispute?

  • Fee disputes are private matters between doctors and patients. Dentists establish fees individually and independently of each other. Peer Review addresses questions of “usual or customary fees” only in cases involving dental benefit companies.
  • Fee disputes must be settled privately between the dentist and patient, or by the courts, and can’t be resolved by NYSDA or any other public agency.

All NYSDA members are required to participate in Peer Review and to abide by the decisions of Peer Review Committees.

  • Peer Review is a dispute resolution process. NYSDA offers this as an alternative for patients to resolve complaints about treatment quality. Peer Review cannot hear complaints that are before (or have already been resolved through) the courts or the New York State Education Department.
  • There is no charge for Peer Review.
  • Peer Review is objective and confidential.
  • Peer Review can only evaluate treatment completed within the past two and a half years.
  • When Peer Review finds treatment unacceptable, the dentist is directed to refund only the fees received for that treatment. Peer Review does not make punitive awards.
  • When treatment is found to be appropriate and the care provided acceptable, all outstanding patient fees are remitted to the dentist.

How Does It Work?

  • Both the patient and the dentist submit the Agreement to Submit to Peer Review. A mediator will contact them to try to resolve the dispute.
  • If mediation is unsuccessful, the Peer Review Committee conducts a hearing. The committee is made up of three volunteer dentists. These dentists examine all patient records and other evidence submitted. They interview the dentist and the patient. They individually examine the patient’s mouth.

How Do I Find Out More?

  • NYSDA’s 13 local dental societies conduct Peer Review. Contact your local dental society to request an Agreement to Submit to Peer Review and A Guide to Peer Review.

Acrobat PDF FileA Guide to Peer Review

Contact NYSDA