Dental licensure reform has been a priority for ASDA for many years. This webinar will provide ASDA members with updates on the states that are championing licensure reform, and those that haven't seen much change. Learn more about available alternatives to the live-patient clinical exam and gain resources to get involved.
ASDA Urges PREVENT HPV Cancers Act be brought to a vote
ASDA, along with 11 other dental organizations, sent a letterto House leaders urging the PREVENT HPV Cancers Act of 2021 be brought to the floor for a vote. HPV can affect the mouth and throat, causing certain head and neck cancers. HPV is now associated with 9,000 cases of head and neck cancers each year in the US, according to the CDC.
Why is this important? According to ASDA's I-3 policy, ASDA believes vaccines are a scientifically proven safe and effective measure of preventing communicable diseases, like HPV.
ASDA supports dental faculty loan repayment program
ASDA, along with 15 other dental organizations, sent letters to Houseand Senate leaders urging support for full-time faculty members participating in the dental faculty loan repayment program to exclude the amount of their loan forgiveness from federal income taxes. A critical factor in recruiting and retaining qualified faculty is the staggering level of student loan debt and income disparity compared to private practice. ASDA continues to advocate for initiatives that reduce the burden of student debt.
Advocacy Challenge
See if you can answer this riddle. The answer is at the bottom of this issue.
"What do you call George Washington's false teeth?"
FROM Washington
On August 6, the Biden administration announced that the suspension of federal loan payments would be extended through Jan. 31, 2022. The suspension was set to expire Sept. 30. Loan payments have been suspended since March 2020. The administration notes that this will be the final extension.
POST GRAD Act reintroduced
The issue: On July 27, Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) reintroduced the Protecting Our Students by Terminating Graduate Rates that Add to Debt Act (POST GRAD Act). The bill would make graduate students, like dental students, eligible to receive Federal Direct Subsidized Loans. These loans are currently only available for undergraduate students. Graduate students haven't been eligible to receive these loans since 2011.
Why is this important?
The average dental student graduates with nearly $305,000 in debt. Direct subsidized loans have better borrowing terms, including lower interest rates than what are currently available to graduate students. Additionally, the Department of Education pays the accumulating interest while borrowers are in school, during a grace period and during a period of deferment. These measures could reduce the burden of debt for dental students upon graduation.
ASDA's F-4 policy supports initiatives to reduce the burden of debt for dental students. The association urges Congress, state legislatures and state dental associations to pass measures that include reducing student loan interest rates.
Medicaid Dental Benefit Act introduced
The issue: On July 16, Rep. Nanette Barragan introduced the Medicaid Dental Benefit Act. The bill would require all state Medicaid programs to provide dental and oral health services for adults. Currently states determine what dental benefits are provided to adults in Medicaid programs. While most states offer emergency dental services for adults, less than half the states currently provide a comprehensive dental care benefit.
Why is this important?
As listed in ASDA's H-2 policy, the association supports evidence-based measures, like Medicaid expansion, that are efficacious and sustainable in reducing barriers to care in underserved communities.
Advocacy Challenge riddle: Presidentures.
Advocacy Brief shares news about ongoing issues and legislation that are of interest to dental students and organized dentistry. Inclusion of items does not imply their adherence to ASDA policy.
