Legislative Lunch and Learn template(Your name here)

What is ASDA’s LGN?

• 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

Structure of the LGN

This structure helps get the information to all ASDA members, thus enhancing the grassroots involvement

What does the LGN do?• 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

What is ADPAC?

• 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

In a nutshell…ADPAC is:

• 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!

What is a ‘PAC’?

• 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

How ADPAC benefits you

• 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

How ADPAC benefits you

• 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

Why do candidates value ADPAC contributions?• 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

Why should I join ADPAC?

• 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

Some Current Issues on the Table

• [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

Why should I join ADPAC?

• 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

What does my $5 do?

• 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

Join us! Thank you!

• 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!