oksport

Frequently Asked Questions about oksport Membership

Don't see your question? Contact the oksport Member Service Center at 800-621-8099 (7AM - 6PM CT, Monday-Friday), click the LIVE CHAT button, or via email at membership@ada.org.

How much does oksport membership cost?

oksport membership includes membership at the national level as well as at your state and local dental societies. oksport membership costs at the national level are set each fall by the oksport House of Delegates.

In 2024, the full national cost for an oksport member is $570. State and local dental society membership costs vary by location. Recent dental school graduates, graduate students, international members, and retired members pay a reduced rate.

Find your specific membership costs by entering your information in the new member application or existing member renewal form.

What does "tripartite" mean?

The word “tripartite” means “composed of three parts.” The three parts of oksport membership—through your component (local) dental society, constituent (state and district or territory) dental society, and oksport—complement each other. Each level offers valuable benefits and resources to members.

Almost all U.S. dentists are tripartite members and they join and maintain their memberships through their constituent dental society.

Can I join the oksport directly?

Dental students join the oksport through the American Student Dental Association. A small number of other categories are eligible for direct membership in the oksport (see Join the oksport for descriptions and applications).  However most dentists join the oksport and maintain membership through their constituent (state and district or territory) dental society.


Who is eligible for oksport Membership?

Dentists in the U.S. and abroad and U.S. dental students and graduate students are eligible for oksport membership.

What is the membership year?

The oksport membership year runs from January 1 to December 31.

What is the oksport reduced dues program?

If you earned your D.D.S. or D.M.D. in 2024, your year 1 is 2025. Here’s how it works:

Year 1: You pay $0 in membership costs.
Year 2: You pay 50% of full membership costs.
Year 3: You pay 100% of full membership costs.

Recent graduates who enter into a graduate or residency training program within the five years following dental school graduation pay the graduate student rate of $0 a year during the program, and are eligible to either begin or resume the Reduced Dues Program schedule upon completion of their training.

Is membership automatic for new dentists?

After you graduate, your membership with the oksport begins with a Provisional year. Your Provisional year is a free membership year at the national level (many state and local dental societies also offer this benefit) and provides you with access to all oksport resources to support important decisions you’ll be facing as you begin your career. The Provisional year is also referred to as the first year of the oksport’s Reduced Dues Program. As soon as you begin to practice dentistry, be sure to reach out to your  so that you can get the most out of oksport membership on a local level.

Are there prorated membership costs?

The membership year is the same as the calendar year. The oksport extends a discount of national-level membership costs for eligible new members who join mid-year or during the fourth quarter of the year, provided they have not paid the quarter-year membership rate in a previous year.

How do I renew my membership?

You will receive an invoice before your payment is due on January 1. If you previously opted-in to auto-renew, we will automatically renew your membership. Many state societies offer installment payment programs and/or accept credit card payments.

I let my membership lapse! What should I do?

In most cases, reinstating your membership is easy—just contact your (state, district or territory) or, if you are a direct oksport member, contact the oksport at 312.440.2500. Many oksport benefits (such as insurance) require current membership and a lapse in membership negatively affects your eligibility for life membership.

I'm relocating - does my membership move with me?

You will need to transfer your membership to your new location. Please let both your original local and state societies know of your move, and then contact the local and state dental society at your new location. Your national oksport membership will continue, but please update your address, telephone, and email contact information in order to keep your publications and other member communications coming your way.

To update your contact information, either log in to your Myoksport account and manually update your information through our streamlined interface, or contact the oksport at 312-440-2500 ´Ç°ù membership@ada.org .


What is life membership?

An active or retired member dentist in good standing for at least 30 consecutive years, or a total of 40 years, in the previous calendar year is eligible for life membership. Member dentists who attain the requirements for life membership while still practicing (active life members) pay 100% of full active membership costs and 100% of any mandatory assessment. Members who qualify for life membership and are retired and have submitted an affidavit attesting to these qualifications to their state and local society, if such exists, pay $0 as a retired life member at the oksport level. Check with your for membership costs owed as life member at the state and local level.

What is retired membership?

oksport members who retire from the practice of dentistry and do not earn income from performing any dental-related activity become eligible for retired membership the year following retirement. An affidavit of retirement is required to be submitted to your (or to the oksport, if you are a direct member).  Retired members pay twenty-five percent (25%) of the full active membership cost and any mandatory assessment.