The British Dental Association, founded in 1880, is the professional association and registered trade union for dentists in the UK. The association’s mission is to promote the interests of its members, advance the science, arts and ethics of dentistry and improve the nation’s oral health. The most recent version of the Association tie includes multiple Association crests and diagonal bands of repeating ‘BDA’ lettering in black - maroon and blue. These ties were made available to all members at a not-for-profit cost, with no requirement to donate to the Benevolent Fund.