CRA (Clinical Research Associates) is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving dentists by evaluating dental materials, devices and concepts for efficacy and clinical usefulness. Findings are reported as rapidly as possible in written and oral forms, including the monthly CRA Newsletter.

CRA is a unique international non-profit volunteer effort. It was founded by clinicians in 1976 to evaluate dental products to confirm their efficacy and clinical usefulness. Last year CRA tested over 650 different product brands, working with over 22,000 products. Currently, over 40 people work on site at the CRA Institute. Additionally, there are approximately 400 dentists worldwide who evaluate products in their private practice for CRA. All dental clinician evaluators (dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, dental technologists) volunteer their time and expertise to test products. CRA's paid personnel consist only of basic scientists, engineers, and support staff. CRA Dentistry Update Courses, presented in 16 locations each year, support the payroll for the non-clinical staff. This system was designed to separate the research from outside funding in order to maintain objectivity in all the work.