NADP History

The National Association of Dental Plans (NADP), a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association, was founded in 1988 and incorporated in Illinois in 1989.  The original incorporation was as the National Association of Prepaid Dental Plans representing only dental HMOs.

In 1992, NAPDP established a headquarters office in Indianapolis, Indiana and employed Evelyn F. Ireland, CAE as its full-time Director.  In 1994 NAPDP moved its headquarters to Dallas, Texas and dropped "prepaid" from its name in preparation for admitting companies offering other dental benefit products to membership.  In 1995 voting membership was expanded to include dental PPOs and the Association redomesticated as a Texas non-profit corporation.  In 1999 NADP's members extended voting membership to discount dental (referral) plans.  In 2001 companies providing dental indemnity products were admitted to full voting membership.

The mission of NADP is "to promote and advance the dental benefits industry to improve consumer access to affordable, quality dental care."  The NADP Foundation was established in 1995 to assist in this mission through research and education.

The purposes established in the by-laws are to promote the development and operation of dental benefits plans throughout the United States; to educate consumers, providers, the government and the business sector about the concept and advantages of dental benefit plans; to facilitate good relations between the dental benefits industry and those who regulate it; to encourage sound legislation and rule-making affecting the dental benefits industry; and to provide for the group purchase of goods and services for the benefit of the members. 

NADP represents over 70 dental benefits companies, including dental HMOs, dental PPOs, discount dental plans and dental indemnity policies.  Member dental plans operate in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

In 1999 an extensive member needs assessment (MNA) validated NADP's key direction, i.e., government relations and information.  A Long Range Planning Task Force met later in the year to examine the challenges facing the dental plan industry and to make recommendations for the future course of NADP in view of the results of the MNA.  As a result, NADP has focused its volunteer efforts and staff support on creating two centers of excellence for the dental benefits industry - governement relations and acquisition and analysis of information.  This focus supports NADP efffort to be the "representative and recognized resource of the dental benefits industry".

In 2005 NADP held a CEO Retreat where attendees established top priorities for the dental benefits industry. The priorities identified by the CEOs included: 1) maintaining a strong relationship with the ADA, 2) developing a value message on dental benefits and 3) developing a value message on oral health.  The 2006 Member Needs Assessment reinforced these priorities as well as validating the current member services.

To that end, NADP invests in a collaborative relationship with the ADA resulting in the successful negotiation and administration of the original CDT Licensing Program. An Ad-hoc Communications Task Force is new and oversees the development and implementation of the value message.

NADP's activities are directed by a 9-member Board of Directors.  Volunteer groups  provide general oversight for the development of each NADP center of expertise and examine specific operational issues such as membership and other revenue producing activities. 

Board members must represent a Full Voting Member and serve up to two consecutive three-year terms.  Three Board members' terms expire each year.  Board members are nominated based on factors such as geography, size of place, plan structure, etc., that reflect balanced representation of the membership.

NADP's staff has been directed by Evelyn F. Ireland, CAE since 1992.  In addition to her tenure with NADP, Ms. Ireland has over 20 years of insurance and political experience including staff to the Chairman of the Texas House Insurance Committee and to former U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen, 10 years as a Texas state insurance regulator, six years as Director of the Texas HMO Association (now TAHP) and as an insurance lobbyist for numerous health and other insurance clients.