AGD News Advocacy
AGD Hill Day 2024: Advocating for Oral Health Legislation By Sheida Takmil, DDS
As a general dentist working at Open Door Family Medical Center, a federally qualified health center in Westchester County, New York, I felt privileged to participate in AGD’s Hill Day this past May. Held in Washington, D.C., this event provided a crucial opportunity for the dental community to engage with policymakers and advocate for key oral health legislation. Drawing on my firsthand experience serving a diversely underserved population, I recognized the importance of the proposals discussed during Hill Day as they directly impact the health outcomes and access to care for my patients. The last time I was in Washington, D.C., was as a child sightseeing the historic monuments, so I was a bit anxious to return in such a different context. Thankfully, I knew my CEO, Lindsay Farrell, had met with many policymakers in the past, including Rep. Mike Lawler, whose staff I’d be meeting with. Before taking off, I sought advice from Farrell on how to highlight our organization in the context of the proposed legislation so as to garner bipartisan support. After landing, I learned a wealth of knowledge during the event itself, which was moderated by AGD President Merlin P. Ohmer, DDS, MAGD. We received a variety of lectures: Adam Barefoot, DMD, MPH, spoke on his role as chief dental officer of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); Natalia I. Chalmers, DDS, MHSc, PhD, chief dental officer of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, discussed Medicaid coverages; and Richard A. Huot, DDS, FAGD, emphasized the importance of advocacy. These speakers — as well as other AGD leaders and D.C. staffers — helped us prepare for our meetings with House and Senate representatives, in which we discussed the following bills: Oral Health Literacy Act (H.R. 994/S. 403): This legislation seeks to enhance oral health education and literacy programs nationwide, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their oral healthcare. This bill would authorize $750,000 per year over a five-year period for HRSA to establish an evidencebased education campaign to promote oral health literacy among vulnerable populations. Dental and Optometric Care (DOC) Access Act (H.R. 1385/ S. 1424): This act aims to improve access to dental care, particularly for underserved populations, by expanding the scope of practice for dental professionals and enhancing reimbursement mechanisms for dental services. This legislation would prohibit dental insurance plans from setting the fees contracted doctors may charge for services not covered by the insurers. Action for Dental Health Act (H.R. 3843/S. 2891): This legislation would reauthorize critical state grants to support dental health workforce initiatives in areas with dental health provider shortages through fiscal year 2028. Such initiatives include loan forgiveness and repayment programs, continuing education, and the establishment of new residency programs, to name a few. Hill Day was a resounding success, with policymakers expressing receptiveness to the issues raised on behalf of general dentists nationwide. AGD will continue to advocate for the passage of these bills by mobilizing its membership and fostering partnerships to advance the cause of oral health nationwide. Hill Day served as a pivotal moment
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AGD IMPACT
SEPTEMBER 2024
AGD President Merlin P. Ohmer, DDS, MAGD, presents the 2024 Legislator of the Year Award to Sen. Susan M. Collins.
for the dental community to amplify its voice and champion critical oral health legislation on Capitol Hill. By advocating for these bills, AGD reaffirmed its commitment to improving oral health outcomes and ensuring access to quality dental care for all. This article originally appeared in the Fall 2024 issue of GP: The Journal of the New York State Academy of General Dentistry and is reprinted with permission.
Dental Practice Advocacy
Survey Results: AGD Members’ Use of AI/AuI in the Dental Practice By Cindy Kluck-Nygren, Manager, AGD Dental Practice
A 2023 AGD survey provides valuable baseline data regarding AGD members’ use of artificial intelligence/augmented intelligence (AI/AuI) in their dental practices. Survey respondents’ primary reasons for incorporating AI/AuI into their practices involved increased accuracy of diagnoses, enhanced patient education, higher case acceptance of treatment plans, and greater efficiency for both the dentist and staff. In 2023, AGD’s House of Delegates adopted a statement on “Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry” that was developed by a Dental Practice Council subcommittee. AGD’s statement as well as the full 2023 survey results are available at agd.org/advocacy/ agd-priorities/agd-policies.