ADA News

Washington—Nearly 600 dental advocates convened in the nation's capital April 12-14 to lobby Congress and celebrate Give Kids A Smile events reaching millions of children.

Election drivers: This year "everybody is going to run as an outsider," Amy Walter, a fresh voice of political punditry as editor-in-chief of National Journal's The Hotline, says in WLC look ahead to fall elections.

During the annual Washington Leadership Conference, the American Dental Political Action Committee presented grassroots advocacy awards to the Rhode Island Dental Association and Georgia Dental Association.

In presenting the awards, Dr. Gary Jeffers, ADPAC board member, said "efforts in Rhode Island spurred legislative action on third-party insurers throughout the country.

"Member dentists throughout the state were mobilized to attend fundraisers and communicate with Rhode Island legislators the importance of passing this legislation. The response to the bill by the dental community was outstanding."

The most successful fundraiser award went to the Georgia Dental Association "for its work in helping to raise $125,000 to elect Lee Hawkins, a past GDA president and ADA member," Dr. Jeffers said.

Dr. Hawkins is running for a seat in Congress, and more than 200 GDA members have contributed to his campaign.

The Association honored Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) and Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) for leadership in oral health advocacy at a GKAS reception and gala April 13.

The WLC and GKAS activities just happened to coincide with an April 12-13 nuclear security summit, which commanded increased security in the extended downtown area.

Upwards of 400 dentists from across the United States asserted professional policy on Capitol Hill during the WLC. The dental advocates included state dental association representatives, members of the Alliance of the American Dental Association and guests.

Rhode Island award: From left, Dr. George A. Resnevic, Rhode Island Dental PAC chair, and Dr. Jeffrey E. Dodge, ADPAC/RIDPAC team leader, accept best state award for pushing noncovered services legislation; "Rhode Island took the lead and succeeded," says ADPAC's Dr. Gary Jeffers.

"Your willingness to come to Washington to advocate for our profession and the patients we serve is a critical element if we are to be successful in our government affairs," Dr. Ron Tankersley, ADA president, said in welcoming remarks. "I thank you for that commitment. It is critical that the ADA represent our members' interests by focusing on what matters most to the profession and all the caring professionals who comprise our organization."

The dental advocates lobbied lawmakers on a number of issues including antitrust legislation, the Federal Trade Commission's Red Flags rule and insurance reforms for ERISA-governed dental plans. Dentist/Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) delivered the keynote address, and other members of Congress were among the WLC speakers.

The WLC also focused on persuasive communications with presentations on the enhanced www.ada.org website, which the Association unveiled to the profession and public on April 7, and on "trends transforming social media and politics."

ADPAC pitch: Go home fired up, Dr. Roger Triftshauser, ADPAC chair, exhorts WLC attendees, "continue to help our congressional candidates;" WLC participants running for seats in Congress include Dr. Paul Gosar, Dr. Lee Hawkins and incumbent Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), who delivered the keynote address.

Many of the dental advocates met with members of Congress and congressional staff during the WLC to discuss issues of interest to the dental profession. The third annual ADA Foundation Give Kids A Smile reception at the Capitol Visitor Center and awards gala at the Decatur House April 13 honored GKAS sponsors and partners and announced a third round of grant awards to dental organizations with "the stature and energy to make a remarkable difference in the lives of at-risk children by enhancing their oral health" and "to thank you for all you do for our underserved children."

Georgia award: The WLC Georgia delegation receives best fundraiser award from ADPAC's Dr. Gary Jeffers (far left) for supporting the campaign of Dr. Lee Hawkins, past president of Georgia Dental Association seeking "dental voice" in U.S. Congress.

Rhode Island award: From left, Dr. George A. Resnevic, Rhode Island Dental PAC chair, and Dr. Jeffrey E. Dodge, ADPAC/RIDPAC team leader, accept best state award for pushing noncovered services legislation; "Rhode Island took the lead and succeeded," says ADPAC's Dr. Gary Jeffers.

ADPAC pitch: Go home fired up, Dr. Roger Triftshauser, ADPAC chair, exhorts WLC attendees, "continue to help our congressional candidates;" WLC participants running for seats in Congress include Dr. Paul Gosar, Dr. Lee Hawkins and incumbent Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), who delivered the keynote address.