Terms for Dietetics Practitioners

(released December 2006)

You may have noticed a change in Association publications lately. In response to numerous requests from ADA members, the use of the general term “dietetics professional” to describe and promote the registered dietitian and the dietetic technician, registered has been discontinued in internal and external communications.

The general term “dietetics professional” has not served the profession well. It is a nebulous term that does not recognize either the RD or DTR when communicating with the public, employers, health care professionals, regulators, the media and other stakeholders. The term contributes to marketplace confusion and dilutes marketing efforts.

To better focus our marketing communications efforts,

  • Registered dietitian will be used (individually or collectively) in public communications relating to the food, nutrition and health of both individuals and entire populations, focusing on the RD’s education and experience. The RD will be promoted as the food and nutrition expert.
  • Dietetic technician, registered will be used (individually or collectively) in both internal and external communications. The DTR will be described as technical support personnel, working under the supervision of an RD.
  • ADA members will be used in public and member communications when the focus is specifically on their status as members of the Association.
  • Food and nutrition professionals will be used occasionally in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association and in ADA publications to collectively address ADA’s professional-level membership at large (RDs, PhDs, etc.) and non-member credentialed professionals (RDs, PhDs, etc.).