DH 207
Concorde Career College
TXSAN
Jacqueline Aguilar RDH,
BSDH
Issues in Dental Hygiene
 Professional
 Ethical
Issues
Issues
 Workforce
Issues
 Employment
 Access
Issues
to care Issues
What Will You Do?
 According
to the ADHA, the dental
hygienist has many roles, one of which is
the advocate
 One of the responsibilities of the
advocate is to lobby to change laws
Source: Nathe, C.M. Dental Public Health & Research, 3rd Ed. New Jersey: Pearson; 2011
You Have a Voice
And
it is likely that
you have an
opinion…..
So, What Can You Do?
 Don’t
 Get
 Be
stand by
Involved
an agent of change
 Speak
 Write
up
a letter to your elected official
Change Agent
An
individual who
intentionally or
unintentionally causes
social, cultural, or
behavioral change
Source: Nathe, C.M. Dental Public Health & Research, 3rd Ed. New Jersey:
Pearson; 2011
 Change
is a verb that implies action
 To modify something means to make
basic or fundamental changes without
losing essential components

A modification is usually a more
acceptable form of change as a starting
point
 To
alter is to deviate from what is normal
or expected or to make different without
changing into something else
 To transform is to change something from
one state to a completely different one
Source: Nathe, C.M. Dental Public Health & Research, 3rd Ed. New Jersey: Pearson; 2011
Why Write to Elected Officials?





Maybe you're not convinced that writing a letter to your
elected official is the best way to spend your time. There
are several reasons it’s worth your while, including:
To explain to an official how a particular issue
affects you or your group.
To express support for a proposed law, policy, or
course of action.
To oppose a proposed law, policy, or course of
action.
In any of the above cases, the letter may include
information about the issue that the official may
not have, or suggest an alternate course of action
that she hasn’t previously heard about
Source: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-electedofficials/main
Write A Letter
Decide
who the appropriate
recipient is
Locate the name and address
Write your letter
Follow the issue
How To Write Your Letter
 DECIDE
ON THE RECIPIENT.
Get the name, title, and address of the
official who will make the decision about
your issue. Watch to make sure that all
names are spelled correctly and that you
have the proper address. An incorrect
name counts against you. An incorrect
address may mean your letter might not
arrive at all.
Source: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-electedofficials/main
OPEN THE LETTER IN AN OFFICIAL MANNER
If you are writing to an elected official, show
respect for the position by using the title of the
office, and the official's full name. In any other
letter, use the familiar term "Dear," the title Mr.,
Mrs., Ms., Miss, or Dr., and the official's full name.
Example:
January 5, 2008
Title [Name of Representative or Senator]
House of Representatives [OR] U.S. Senate
Office Address
Washington, D.C. 20515

Source: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-toelected-officials/main
Explain The Purpose For Your
Letter
 Let
your reader know immediately what
your letter is about. Tell him/her why you
are concerned or pleased that a
particular decision is being considered
Source: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-electedofficials/main
SUMMARIZE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE
ISSUE/DECISION BEING CONSIDERED
 State
the general impact that you expect
to occur if a particular decision is made
Source: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-elected-officials/main
EXPLAIN YOUR POSITION ON THIS ISSUE
 Describe
in detail why you feel the
decision made will lead to the impact you
foresee
Source: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-electedofficials/main
DESCRIBE WHAT ANY CHANGES WILL MEAN TO
YOU, AND TO OTHERS
 Describe
specifically the positive or
negative effects the decision will have on
you personally and on those you
represent. The more people affected by
the decision, the more convincing you
may be
Source: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-electedofficials/main
IDENTIFY OTHERS WHO MAY BE AFFECTED BY
THIS DECISION
 Tell
the official which, and how many,
people will be affected. Statistics can be
very helpful here
Source: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-elected-officials/main
ACKNOWLEDGE PAST SUPPORT
 Mention
appropriate actions and
decisions the official has made in the past
and express thanks for them
Source: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-elected-officials/main
DESCRIBE WHAT ACTION YOU HOPE THE
OFFICIAL WILL TAKE
 State
specifically what action you (and
those you represent) hope the official will
take--and by what date, if there is a
deadline
Source: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-elected-officials/main
IF YOU HAVE WRITTEN A LETTER THAT OPPOSES
SOME ACTION, OFFER AN ALTERNATIVE
Source: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-elected-officials/main
CLOSE AND SIGN YOUR LETTER
 Thank
the official and sign your full name.
Make sure your address, and phone
number are included
Source: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-elected-officials/main
CHECK YOUR LETTER FOR SPELLING AND
GRAMMATICAL ERRORS
 Correct
spelling and grammar won't do
the job by themselves, but they can help.
Why not give your letter every possible
advantage?
Source: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-elected-
officials/main
Where To Find Your Address
 http://www.usa.gov/Agencies.shtml
 http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter
/elected.shtml