Legislative Lunch and Learn template
(Your name here)

• ASDA’s Legislative Grassroots Network is dedicated to increasing dental student understanding of and involvement in legislative processes – locally and nationally
• Works to inform Congress how proposed legislation affects us as students and as future professionals as well as how it affects our patients and the practice of dentistry

ASDA Board of
Trustees
Chair of the
LGN
ADPAC Board of Directors
Vice-Chair,
LGN
This structure helps get the information to all ASDA members, thus enhancing the grassroots involvement
Regional
Legislative
Coordinators
Legislative
Liaisons
ADA Council on Government
Affairs

• National Dental Student Lobby Day
• Held annually in Washington, D.C.
• Meet with members of Congress to discuss issues agreed upon by
ASDA and ADEA
• State Lobby Days
• State-related issues
• Meet and Greets
•
• Legislative leaders in the state Congress
Prominent figures in the ADA or ADPAC
• ADPAC membership
• Provides legislative information
• To become informed advocates for the profession

• ADPAC is the American Dental Political Action
Committee
• It is the bipartisan legislative arm of the American
Dental Association
• ADPAC provides a political voice for thousands dentists and dental students who care about their patients and the profession

• A way of Protecting the profession
• Providing “Preventative Care” for the profession
• A Powerful force for the profession
It’s the cheapest form of insurance for the entire dental profession that you can buy!

• Political Action Committees allow for like-minded citizens to pool small amounts of money into a common fund
• Money is contributed to candidates who support their cause
• Every politically involved organization has a PAC
By pooling resources, dentists and dental students have a broader, more sustained impact on the political process

• ADPAC has created relationships that benefit the ADA
• ADA lobbyists are able to communicate the concerns of our profession to lawmakers who are involved in drafting and voting on health care legislation
ADPAC helps ensure that dentists have a voice on
Capitol Hill

• Health care legislation affects:
• Student loan scholarships and loan repayment programs
• Expanding community dental health programs
• Dental faculty recruitment and retention
• Reimbursement rates for dentists
• Workforce diversity
• Small Business Laws
• Scope of Practice

• The top priority for an elected official is re-election
• Elections are expensive
• 2008: Senate = $8 million per race
• 2008: House of Representatives = $1 million per race
• In 2010-11, ASDA donated over $9,000 to ADPAC!
Congressmen provide an attentive ear to organizations who help them get re-elected

• What is happening on Capitol Hill most certainly affects how you practice dentistry today and 20 years from now
• Where you practice
• Who compensates you
• The materials you will use
• How you practice
• What your staff can and can’t do
“Our political involvement is as critical as any continuing education we might take” – Dr. Jeff Parrish, former ADPAC Chairman

• [These are examples you can research to talk about – feel free to edit accordingly – visit www.ada.org/advoacy for current issues]
• The “Amalgam Debate”
• The FDA in 2009 ruled amalgam as “safe and effective” for use in humans
• Advocacy groups want the FDA to re-open the issue to look at the material
• Water Fluoridation
• Dental Therapist models nationwide
• Minnesota, Missouri

• Joining ADPAC is an investment for yourself and your future!
• Student membership = only $5
• Student + spouse = only $7.50
• Student Capitol Club membership = $50
• Membership goes for the academic year
• Capitol Club members get a thank you gift for your contribution

• Legislators don’t want to make laws for all dentists if they think ADPAC’s opinions only represent a minority of the profession
• A greater percentage of member representation gives dentistry political leverage
ADPAC does not “buy votes” – these monies go to candidates’ campaigns who support oral health initiatives

• Visit the Legislative Action Center at http://capwiz.com/dental to sign up for alerts
• Contact your Legislative Liaison for any information
• Visit www.ada.org/advocacy for the most current information
• Visit www.asdanet.org
for ways to get involved!