LEGISLATIVE LOOP Take Action to Advance Dental Workforce Legislation ODA members are encouraged to contact their U.S. Senators to ask for support of the Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act, a bill that would ensure important workforce programs designed to expand the dental workforce pipeline and increase access to care are able to continue by reauthorizing a number of crucial priorities: • Action for Dental Health workforce grants directed towards programs for dentists and other dental professionals. • Oral Health Training Programs, which support the dental faculty loan repayment program and residency training for general, pediatric, and public health dentists, as well as dental hygienists. • The Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) Program, which helps communities train dentists in community-based settings with a focus on rural and underserved populations and community health centers. • The National Health Service Corps’ (NHSC) scholarships and loan repayment programs for health care workers, including dentists and dental hygienists, who serve in federally designated shortage areas.
Dr. Rieger Wood (left) meeting with Representative Lonnie Sims in Tulsa
• Community Health Centers, which serve a critical role in providing quality preventive and primary oral health care in underserved communities and populations. Please contact Senators James Lankford and Markwayne Mullin today and ask them to support the Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act. In doing so, they can ensure we are creating a robust provider network that will improve access to quality oral health care for patients in Oklahoma and nationwide. Senator James Lankford (202) 224-5754 james_lankford@lankford.senate.gov Senator Markwayne Mullin (202) 224-4721 markwayne_mullin@mullin.senate.gov
Dr. Lindsay Smith (left) and ODA executive director Lynn Means (right) meeting with U.S. Representative Kevin Hern in Tulsa
Dr. Lindsay Smith (left) meeting with Senator Dana Prieto in Tulsa
Help us advocate for dentistry To get more involved with ODA's political efforts, consider joining or contributing to DENPAC, our general purpose political action committee that works to safeguard against counterproductive legislation at our state capitol. When lawmakers address issues impacting the practice of dentistry in Oklahoma, ODA and DENPAC are hard at work making your voice heard. U.S. Senator James Lankford (middle) receiving an ADPAC check from Drs. Ryan Theobald, Dan Wilguess, Matt Cohlmia and John Archer 16 journal | November/December 2023
Visit okda.org/advocacy or email ODA executive director Lynn Means at lmeans@okda.org for more info.
