DALLAS, Oct. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association of Dental Plans (NADP) proudly commemorates its 35^th anniversary this year, marking more than three decades of dedicated service to the dental benefits industry. Since its inception in 1989, NADP has been at the forefront of advocating for dental benefits. The Association has fought to expand access to affordable dental care. NADP continues to provide invaluable resources and an annual conference offering industry specific educational content for its members.

“Reaching this milestone is a testament to the hard work, innovation, and unwavering commitment of our members and leadership over the years,” said NADP Board Chair Donna Hunter, United Concordia Dental. “From expanding our membership and influence to playing a lead role on the identification of pros and cons associated with industry-related legislation, NADP has consistently strived to ensure that dental benefits are accessible and affordable for all.”

Key Milestones in the NADP 35-Year Journey:

• 1989: The National Association of Prepaid Dental Plans (NAPDP) was incorporated and quickly made its mark by successfully challenging the proposed National Association of Insurance Commissioners model, "Prepaid Limited Health Service Organization Act" (PLHSO). The model act would have stymied growth of prepaid dental plans.
• 1992: NAPDP made its first Congressional testimony before the U.S. House Ways & Means Committee, addressing the availability and affordability of dental benefits.
• 1994: The association rebranded itself as the National Association of Dental Plans (NADP). The change prepared the association to admit member companies offering products defined as dental preferred provider organizations (DPPO). Enrollment in dental benefits grew to 113.6 million.
• 1995: DPPOs were admitted as members, expanding the association’s reach. DPPO continues as the most prominent dental benefits product type in the market today, offering consumers the ability to see any dentist they wish and saving money when they use in-network dentists.
• 1997: The NADP Foundation was created to support research and education.
• 1999: More than 153 million Americans, 56 percent of the population, had dental coverage. NADP and American Dental Association leaders held their first joint meeting, fostering collaboration between key stakeholders in the dental industry.
• 2004: The NADP CDT Licensing Program was launched, and the organization secured appointments to influential stakeholder organizations governing electronic transactions standards such as the Dental Quality Alliance, the American Dental Association’s Standards Committee on Dental Informatics and Dental Content Committee, X12, and HL7.
• 2005: NADP led the expansion of the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) to include voluntary dental benefits.
• 2006: NADP initiated new research reports, including
  • Purchaser Behavior Study providing insights about employers’ perceptions regarding dental benefits
  • State of the Dental Benefits Industry, serving as an industry primer on dental benefits.
• 2007: NADP commissions its first Consumer Study to highlight this audience’s perspectives about the value of dental benefits.
• 2010: NADP launched the weekly SmartBriefs industry e-newsletter. NADP also played a role in providing information about the unique attributes of dental coverage to the newly formed FAIR Health.
• 2012: NADP celebrated a significant legislative victory with the passage of the Stabenow Amendment, allowing the sale of Stand-Alone Dental Plans (SADPs) in the Marketplaces established under the Affordable Care Act. Enrollment in dental benefits grows to 60 percent of the population.
• 2014: Implementation of the Affordable Care Act brought new opportunities and challenges for dental plans.
• 2015: A record 66 percent of the population has some form of dental coverage.
• 2016: The first Advocacy in Action, the Washington D.C. lobbying day, was held, further solidifying NADP’s role as the voice of the dental benefits industry.
• 2020: More than 170 million Americans, 84 percent of the population, have some type of dental coverage.
• 2021: NADP adopts a new mission statement, vision and values.
• 2022: Growth in dental benefits enrollment climbs to 88 percent of the population, as more than 185 million Americans have some form of dental benefit.
• 2023: The association expanded its definition to admit dental savings plans as members.
• 2024: NADP continues to lead with the introduction of the NADP Consortium interactive educational program focused on a common industry challenge and its collaborative work with the ADA on the National Conference of Insurance Commissioners Model Law on loss ratios.

“NADP’s history is rich with significant achievements that have shaped the dental benefits landscape,” said NADP Executive Director Mike Adelberg. “As we celebrate our 35th anniversary, we look forward to continuing our mission to improve the nation’s oral health by promoting and innovating dental benefits.”

For more information about NADP and its initiatives, please visit NADP.org.

About NADP

NADP is the largest non-profit trade association focused exclusively on the dental benefits industry. NADP members provide dental HMO, dental PPO, dental indemnity, and dental savings plan products to more than 200 million Americans with dental benefits. NADP members include the entire spectrum of dental carriers: companies that provide both medical and dental coverage, companies that provide only dental coverage, major national, regional, and single state companies, as well as companies organized as non-profit plans.