A 'Lobby Day' in the life
More than 1,200 dentists, dental students gather in D.C. for annual conference
The eighth annual ADA Dentist and Student Lobby Day took place March 30 to April 1 in Washington, D.C., where more than 1,200 dentists and dental students gathered to learn about policies affecting dentistry.
Participants spent the weekend networking and mingling with one another, as well as hearing from political analysts, subject matter experts and dentists working with Congress to represent the dental field.
ADA President Brett Kessler, D.D.S., expressed gratitude to participants for making the time to advocate for the future of the dental profession, highlighting a record-breaking number of new dentists who attended this year’s Lobby Day.
“This is our moment to protect the future of our profession and the health of the people that we serve. It’s our moment to show lawmakers that oral health is health and that dentistry belongs in every conversation about the future of health care. When we show up united, we’re a force for good,” Dr. Kessler said.
This year’s main Lobby Day issues included:
Dental and Optometric Care Access Act: This legislation would limit dental and vision plans from requiring providers to accept set fees for noncovered services. It aims to ensure fairness in provider contracts and protect all patients, regardless of how their dental benefits are regulated.
Student loan reform: The Resident Education Deferred Interest Act ensures that dental residents qualify for an interest-free deferment on their federal student loans until after their residency is completed to help alleviate the burden of student debt.
Community water fluoridation: The ADA advocates for community water fluoridation as a proven safe and effective way to prevent tooth decay. The Association is urging the National Institutes of Health to conduct a rigorous study on claims regarding low-level fluoride exposure and IQ, which it says will provide scientifically valid data to guide local policy decisions on fluoridation.
ADA News shadowed the Virginia delegation during Lobby Day and is providing a timestamped daily log of how the delegation spent the weekend. This includes breakout sessions, meetings with members of Congress and their thoughts along the way.
Sunday, March 30
9 a.m.: Attendees arrived, registered and socialized with one another throughout the day.
3 p.m.: Elizabeth Reynolds, D.D.S., of Richmond, Virginia, attended the breakout session “The Future of Medicaid: Protecting Benefits in a Changing Landscape.” The session was personally meaningful for Dr. Reynolds, as she’s seen firsthand how much out-of-pocket costs can skyrocket when Medicaid benefits are eliminated. She works with one patient in particular who has disabilities and was turned away the moment he turned 18. Due to his various medical conditions, the costs without Medicaid will likely be “unbelievable,” she said.
“It’s really important to me because when they cut Medicaid, the first thing to go are dental benefits, and adult dental benefits [specifically],” Dr. Reynolds said. “The adult special needs population is a large component of that adult Medicaid benefit eligibility, and that special population is so underseen and underserved. This will affect them profoundly.”
4:15 p.m.: Some of the Virginia delegation attended the breakout session “Fluoride Advocacy: Defending Public Health at the State Level" and others attended "Making Your Mark: A Conversation with the ADA New Dentist Committee."
Monday, March 31
7 to 8:30 a.m.: The delegation stopped by the complimentary breakfast buffet for coffee and food before the day began.
9 a.m.: ADA President Brett Kessler, D.D.S., provided opening remarks, thanking everyone for attending Lobby Day.
9:30 a.m.: An expert panel, led by the ADA’s D.C. office, reviewed this year’s Lobby Day issues. These included the Dental and Optometric Care Access Act, student loan reform and community water fluoridation.
“Please remember that this is just the beginning of our advocacy opportunities during this two-year congressional term. We hope that what you learn during your time here in D.C. you’ll bring back home with you, and take action and stay engaged with your members of Congress throughout the course of the year,” said James (Jim) Schulz Jr., senior vice president of government and public affairs.
10:20 a.m.: Dr. Kessler led a fireside chat with Rep. Herb Conaway, M.D., D-N.J., who serves on the House Small Business and Veterans’ Affairs Committees. ADA President-elect Rich Rosato, D.M.D., led a fireside chat with Rep. John Joyce, M.D., R-Pa., who serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and is co-chair of the GOP Doctors Caucus.
11:30 a.m.: The American Dental Political Action Committee led “How to Meet with Your Member of Congress,” a skit that taught participants what to expect and how to act during their upcoming Hill meetings.
“[The skit was] great. I think it definitely gave us the information we need and the extra pep in our step to go to the Hill. It’s always great. They really added some entertainment value this year,” said Danielle Howell, D.D.S., of Suffolk, Virginia.
12:15 p.m.: Following the opening remarks and presentations, the delegation grabbed lunch, headed to the state’s assigned room and prepared for their upcoming Hill meetings.
“This is always such a great way to get everyone in the room together — all of the dental students, along with the dentists, whether they’re new dentists or seasoned dentists. [It helps] everybody be on the same page, and just be invigorated, energized, and certainly get the facts as well and get some of those questions answered,” said Abby Halpern, D.M.D., of Alexandria, Virginia. “Great morning so far. I’m feeling ready to go for our meetings later today and tomorrow.”
4 p.m.: Some members of the Virginia delegation met with Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., to lobby for policies affecting dentistry. During the meeting, Mohamed Aarif Abdul Kareem, a student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, shared his experience as someone facing more than $600,000 in student loans by the time he graduates dental school. He plans to practice in Virginia after graduation.
Mr. Abdul Kareem said sharing his story, which included advocating for the Resident Education Deferred Interest Act, went successfully.
“It feels good because all of us as students are working hard individually and collectively to better our field, better ourselves and try and make our communities and country better. These are elected officials that we’ve put in a position of power, and the fact that we can return to them year to year and keep in touch on what issues are important for the dental community [is] really powerful,” he said.
5 p.m.: Some of the delegation stopped by a fundraising reception for Rep. Brian Babin, D.D.S., R-Texas. The event was hosted by the American Dental Political Action Committee and took place at the ADA Townhouse in D.C.
Tuesday, April 1
8 a.m.: Members dropped by the final breakfast buffet before attending more Hill meetings or heading home.
1 to 3 p.m.: Some members of the Virginia delegation met with Reps. Don Beyer, D-Va., and Morgan Griffith, R-Va., and Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., to lobby for policies affecting dentistry.
Isabel Terrasa, a student at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, is from Williamsburg, Virginia, and plans to practice in the state after graduation. Ms. Terrasa said the Hill meetings provided a vital opportunity for dentists and dental students to meet directly with lawmakers and advocate for the policies impacting their industry.
“It doesn’t take someone who is well-versed in dentistry to see the truth. It just takes some guidance. And me as a student, seeing my professors speak with conviction helps me deliver that same message to the people that are putting this into law,” she said. “[Federal officials] don’t need to know everything about dentistry, but we do. And it’s our responsibility to be here and show up.”
Ms. Terrasa described her overall experience at this year’s Lobby Day as deeply valuable. Throughout the weekend, she said, her unique perspective as a dental student was honored and celebrated as an important voice in the field.
“My favorite part is always the people. I love talking to dentists from all over the timeline of dentistry. You have pre-dents, dental students, residents, fellows, interns and seasoned vets that come to this event,” she said. “The doctors, the fellows, residents, all of us — we sit at the same table and when we’re talking together you feel that respect, and I love it.”
