ADIA member businesses supply more than 95% of the products used by dental professionals across Australia which is why ADIA is recognised by the Australian Government as an authoritative source of policy advice on the regulatory standards for medical devices and therapeutic products more generally.

Through its external representation, ADIA represents the interests of members on many bodies such as the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the Department of Health, Standards Australia in addition to consultative forums convened by other healthcare associations.

Affiliated with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), the nation's foremost alliance of employer organisations. This link with ACCI allows ADIA to make a substantial and lasting contribution to the national policy dentate on matters including business taxation, international trade, workplace relations in addition to workplace health and safety.

ADIA manages the highly successful ADX Sydney dental exhibition, Australia's largest healthcare trade show, and also coordinates Australia's pavilion at the IDS Cologne and IDEM Singapore dental shows, the international exhibitions for the dental industry.

Internationally ADIA is an active member of the FDI World Dental Federation and the International Dental Manufacturers (IDM) and also supports individuals participate in various International Standards Organisation (ISO) committees.

ADIA also support initiatives to promote public oral health by contributing to the research of the Australian Dental Research Foundation (ADRF).

In 2017 ADIA was named 'Association of the Year'​ by Associations Forum, a body committed to assisting associations and charities in governance, operations, membership and finances.