Have you heard of ASDA’s F-4 Student Debt Policy or E-12 Medicaid Patients Policy, but not sure exactly what they mean? This session will explore how ASDA policies come to exist and the process of how you can turn your idea into a policy that ASDA stands behind. Using examples, this session will then discuss how these policies drive ASDA’s advocacy efforts to effect real world change.

Amid the chaos and stress of everyday life as a dental student and future dentist, it can be easy to forget the importance of giving back to the community. ASDA’s annual Week of Service celebrates our commitment to community service and dental outreach. This session will explore the groundbreaking work that an ASDA alum has done to build bridges and “Serve the Underserved” through her development of a nonprofit that features a mobile dental unit traveling throughout Texas. This session will explore the importance and role that dentistry plays in improving local communities and discuss opportunities for students to get involved in dental outreach.

In this session, attendees will understand just how easy it is to advocate – in some cases, it only takes a minute! Attendees will walk away feeling empowered to advocate for issues that impact the future of our profession using quick and easy techniques that can be implemented immediately. This session will include an ASDA Action tutorial, a review of the Advocacy Certificate Program, steps to hold advocacy events at their chapter, and more.

Barriers to care and student debt are current legislative priorities for ASDA that are being discussed in Congress. With the upcoming midterm elections in November, it is important to be up to date on specific bills and the congressional members who support them. This session will pave the way for dental students to learn more about federal legislation, midterm elections, ASDA Advocacy resources, and Advocacy Month.

We know that advocacy can be an intimidating topic, so this chapter idea exchange will break down the basics of hosting a timeless event that has repeatedly succeeded in engaging members: dental debates. We’ll discuss the benefits of hosting dental debates and tips for facilitating. We’ll also discuss collaborating with other chapters and share ideas for other ways to engage members with advocacy. Get Back to Your (Grass) Roots by joining us for this informative idea exchange.

Since the Biden Administration took office in January 2021, several of ASDA’s key legislative priorities like vaccinations, barriers to care, and student debt have been introduced or re-introduced in Congress. As an informed dental student, it’s important to know how the issues affect you, and what ASDA’s stance is. This session offers an opportunity to learn more about the issues, know the resources available to take action, as well as be prepared to participate in Advocacy Month.

Dental licensure reform has been a priority for ASDA for many years. Due in part to ASDA’s advocacy efforts, we saw rapid change in the licensure process during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s important for ASDA members to understand the current licensure landscape for 2021 and beyond. This webinar will provide ASDA members with updates on the states that are championing licensure reform, and those that haven’t seen much change. It will educate members on the available alternatives to the live-patient clinical exam and provide resources to learn more and get involved. 

It’s difficult to figure out how dentistry fits into the health care system, especially when looking at federal programs like Medicaid. The perceived complexity of the treatment and reimbursement processes within the Medicaid program can affect a dentist’s desire to treat this underserved population.

Not only is it important to understand the benefits of treating Medicaid patients in reducing barriers to care, but also to learn that treating this population doesn’t have to be burdensome or cost prohibitive in your practice. This session will provide an overview of the principles of Medicaid and the benefits of treating Medicaid patients, as well as debunk common misconceptions about treating this population.

As advocates for the wellbeing of dental students, patients and our profession, ASDA will address a wide range of issues at our upcoming Annual Session. Student leaders will discuss hot topics in dentistry, including dentists’ roles in administering vaccines and prescribing marijuana. Tune into this session to learn more about these subjects as well as policy resolutions passed during Annual Session. We’ll also review how you can create change by submitting your own resolutions at next year’s Annual Session.

ASDA’s advocacy efforts have influenced licensure reform in numerous states. It is important for ASDA members to understand ASDA’s recent efforts and how to take grassroots action to advocate for permanent licensure reform. This webinar will provide ASDA members with updates on dental licensure, share information about the licensure task force and provide resources to assist members in grassroots advocacy efforts. 

Licensure FAQs

In an ever-changing and increasingly inequitable world, Teledentistry will help our profession meet the needs of our communities - and will be critical in efforts to care for underserved and rural communities. Learning from experts in the field, ASDA members will become knowledgeable on ways to promote access to care, gain a better understanding of implementing teledentistry in their practice, and engage in thoughtful discussion with leaders in the field.

Lawmakers can influence where and how you may practice dentistry in the future. With the election coming up, it is important to understand the current issues dental students are facing like dental student debt, midlevel providers and barriers to care and how the election may affect these issues.

As states face revenue shortfalls due to the pandemic, access to oral health care for communities in need may be in jeopardy. This session will address the unique challenges vulnerable populations may face in receiving care during a pandemic. It will provide an overview of how traditional strategies to reducing barriers to care like ER referral programs and Medicaid dental programs and providers may be impacted by the pandemic. The session will conclude with a strategy for action to help low income communities receive the oral care they need during these uncertain times. 

Does the thought of advocacy overwhelm you? ASDA is here to help. Join the Council on Advocacy as they break down common misconceptions about advocacy, highlight the key issues affecting the profession, provide an overview of the legislative process and help you find ways to get involved. The session is geared towards advocacy novices, but anyone interested in learning more about ASDA advocacy should attend.

Questions about licensure during the COVID-19 outbreak? ASDA's Executive Committee will review association efforts to advocate for reform and speak about solutions that work for current fourth year dental students. Attendees will learn about current licensure alternatives and will have the opportunity to ask questions.

Dental midlevel providers are a hot topic in organized dentistry and one of ASDA’s main advocacy issues. Tune into the Council on Advocacy’s advo-cast at 7:30 p.m. CST on Thursday, Nov. 14 to learn more about midlevel providers and ASDA’s stance. This advo-cast will feature interviews with two midlevel provider experts. They’ll focus on midlevel legislation and the role of Community Dental Health Coordinators. 

Are you ready for bite-size discussion on the big issues? ASDA’s Council on Advocacy will host a series of short-form Advo-casts that quickly dive into key dental student issues. In October, the Advo-cast will focus on two licensure reform experts as they discuss dental licensure reform at their states. In less than 30 minutes, you’ll hear about their successful efforts to remove the live-patient portion of the exam in addition to ASDA’s strides at the national level.

Does the thought of doing advocacy overwhelm you? ASDA is here to help. Join the Council on Advocacy as they breakdown common misconceptions about advocacy, highlight the key issues affecting the profession, provide an overview of the legislative process and help you find ways to get involved. The session is geared towards advocacy novices, but anyone interested in learning more about ASDA advocacy should attend.

In October, ASDA along with the ADA and ADEA formed a coalition to modernize the dental licensure process. Since then the three organizations have been planning for the coalition's national launch.  Our coalition representatives, President Craig McKenzie and Immediate Past President Roopali Kulkarni will discuss how the coalition was formed, its goals  and how it aligns with ASDA’s overall licensure reform strategy.  They will also be fielding your live questions.  

In 2016, opioids killed more than 42,000 people in the U.S., and 40% of those deaths involved a prescription pain reliever. Opioids aren’t only an issue for dentistry, they are a national epidemic. To help students effectively discuss and combat the crisis, this webinar will provide up-to-date opioid information and examine how experts from different fields are working together against opioids.