Today in 1859, 26 dentists from around the country formed the American Dental Association in Niagra Falls, NY. Currently, it is headquartered in Chicago, IL. The ADA is a non-profit organization that holds rigorous standards for testing and advertising dental products. Manufacturers must pay an annual fee for every product that receives the ADA’s Seal of Approval. That money is spent on various non-profit avenues, including dental research, awareness campaigns, and lobbying politicians for improved dental coverage and scholarships for dental students. In 1991, Dudley the Dinosaur was introduced as the official mascot of the ADA in an attempt to equip children with better dental habits.