Lobby Day 2026 delivers strong impact

More than 500 attendees flock to D.C. for annual event

Protecting the federal oral health infrastructure. Improving the dental insurance administration. Alleviating student loan debt.

These were the key issues emphasized at this year’s ADA Dentist and Student Lobby Day. Approximately 500 dentists and dental students gathered for the annual event March 22-24 in Washington, D.C., to discuss how to drive dentistry forward and create a stronger future for both dentists and patients.

ADA President Richard Rosato, D.M.D., said in his opening remarks that oral health deserves a seat at the table and dentists deserve to be the ones who decide the future of the profession.

“Advocacy is central to our mission. It’s our responsibility as dental professionals. And when we come together like this, united in purpose, we make a real impact,” Dr. Rosato said. “It’s how we’ve secured victories right here in our nation’s capital, how we’ve defended science and community water fluoridation, and how we continue to stand up for our profession and our patients.”

He added that the landscape is ever-evolving, with the industry facing real issues like workforce shortages, rising costs, insurance challenges and growing student debt. Misinformation is on the rise, he said, which calls for dentists to take on more leadership, courage and “relentless creativity.”

“At the core, our message is simple: Oral health belongs at the table – and we’re here to make sure it stays there,” Dr. Rosato said.

Nader Nadershahi, D.D.S., who was recently named ADA executive director and began his position during the conference, emphasized the importance of educating lawmakers on the real-world implications of policy and positioning the ADA as their trusted partners in advancing oral health.  

“The ADA will maintain its forward momentum — beyond this event and beyond this legislative session — because our mission is to help dentists succeed and support the advancement of the health of the public, and that cannot be accomplished without a steadfast commitment to advocacy.”

The three-day conference included breakout sessions focusing on the ADA’s New Dentist Committee, a deep dive on state issues, the art of running for office, and a guide on how to meet members of Congress. It also featured an issue review panel in which subject matter experts explored the issues members would bring to the Hill to discuss with lawmakers and staff. These included:

• Protecting and restoring the federal oral health infrastructure: Ensuring the Department of Health and Human Services maintains senior-level dental leadership and technical expertise across key agencies.

• Student loans and postgraduate educational debt: Advocating for the Resident Education Deferred Interest, or REDI, Act, which ensures that dental residents qualify for an interest-free deferment on student loans until after their residency is completed.

• Improving the dental insurance administration: Supporting targeted reform of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or ERISA, through the Improving Dental Administration Act, so that state dental insurance consumer and patient protection laws reliably apply to patients covered through both employer self-funded dental plans and fully insured plans.

Jim Schulz, senior vice president of government and public affairs, said that grassroots advocacy is the “greatest tool” for supporting dentistry as a profession.

“We hope that what you learn during your time in D.C. will inspire you to take action back home, stay engaged with your member of Congress throughout the course of the year, and take advantage of the grassroots alerts and advocacy resources available to you,” he said to attendees.

There was also a fireside chat with Dr. Rosato, President-elect Thomas Paumier, D.D.S., ADA New Dentist Committee Chair Kayla Klingensmith, D.M.D., and Dr. Nadershahi, as well as a speech from this year’s keynote speaker, Robert Costa, a national correspondent for CBS New Sunday Morning and chief Washington analyst for CBS News.

Attendees made their way to Capitol Hill for meetings with lawmakers on March 23 and 24 to champion the policies that strengthen and protect the dental industry. For more information about Lobby Day 2026, visit ADA.org/Advocacy.