Join us in celebrating Advocacy Month 2025!
Each November, ASDA celebrates Advocacy Month as our commitment to educating members on the importance of advocacy and developing engagement opportunities.
Advocacy Month 2025's theme is Closing the Gap: Ensuring Oral Healthcare for All Communities.
Throughout the month, ASDA members will be encouraged to step up their advocacy game through chapter activities, webinar attendance, word of mouth and more. Check out the 2025 programming:
Week 1:Student Loans
Dental student debt plays a huge role in reducing barriers to oral health care. Test your knowledge of dental student debt in the U.S. on ASDA’s Instagram, @dentalstudents on Thursday, Nov. 6.
Week 2: FQHC Webinar
View the recording of the webinar, FQHCs: Benefitting You and the Public
Sue Etminan, DMD, MPH, shared what it’s like to work as a dentist at an FQHC. Learn about the benefits and financial incentives offered, including Public Service Loan Forgiveness and dental school scholarships for pursuing public health dentistry!
Watch Now
Week 3: Fluoride Focus
Review frequently asked fluoride questions and answers on ASDA's Instagram. Attending ASDA's National Leadership Conference in Chicago? Attend "Fluoride at a Crossroads: Charting a Path Forward for Oral Health" to earn a point towards the Advocacy Certificate Program and the Chapter Challenge.
Week 4: Social Media Challenge
How are you Closing the Gap? During the last week of Advocacy Month, we’re challenging members, chapters and districts to share how they’re advocating to ensure oral healthcare for all.
All Month Long: Advocacy Certificate Program Chapter Challenge
Throughout Advocacy Month, members can earn special Advocacy Month points towards the Advocacy Certificate Program. The chapters whose members record the most points will earn $150 for planning future advocacy events.
One winner will be selected from each of the following regions:
- Districts 1-3
- Districts 4&5
- Districts 6&7
- Districts 8-10
- Districts 11-13
An additional winner from a “New Chapter” category will also receive $150 to for future advocacy initiatives. Eligible chapters are those at dental schools that have opened in the last ten years. Chapters cannot win more than one category.
Eligible Chapters at New Schools:
- Touro College of Dental Medicine at New York Medical College
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine
- California Northstate University College of Dental Medicine
- Lincoln Memorial University College of Dental Medicine
- Kansas City University College of Dental Medicine
- High Point University Workman School of Dental Medicine
- School of Dental Medicine Ponce Health Sciences University
- Universidad Ana G. Mendez - Gurabo, School of Dental Medicine
- Lyon College School of Dental Medicine
- Northeast Ohio Medical School Bitonte College of Dentistry
- Pacific Northwest University School of Dental Medicine
Points recorded in the 2025-26 Advocacy Certificate Program prior to November will be counted towards the Chapter Challenge.
Learn More
Event Ideas & Resources