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.
Learning objectives
At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
- Identify the issues facing dental students today.
- Learn how the potential makeup of Congress may change in the election and how that could impact dental student issues in the future.
- Understand the importance of voting and getting involved through ASDA advocacy efforts and joining ADPAC.
- Be prepared to participate in Advocacy Month Activities
Mike Graham, ADA Senior Vice President of Government and Public Affairs
Mike Graham has fought on Capitol Hill for issues important to organized dentistry for 25 years -- serving in various positions in the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Washington Office. Currently, he is the ADA’s Senior Vice President of Government and Public Affairs, representing over 163,000 ADA dentist members.
In total he has 40 years of government affairs experience in the Federal and state legislative arenas. He has represented two other Associations; served as a gubernatorial appointee for two Maryland governors; worked for a U.S. Senator from Maryland; a Maryland Congressman; and a Maryland state representative. Mike has a Masters Degree in Public Policy from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, and a B.A. from The Catholic University of America. Mike retired as a Commander in the United States Navy, following his service in Iraq.