From ASDA

ASDA Action: Advocate for Deferred Interest for Residents & Science-Backed Fluoride Policies

Congress is back in session just in time for the new school year. As you build your routine, add advocacy to your list. With ASDA Action, you can easily contact your congressperson about important issues with a few clicks of a button.

Use ASDA Action to write to legislators on current fluoride and student loan legislation today.

Take Action

Don't Miss Out on Points!

ASDA’s Advocacy Certificate Program is designed to help you become a lifelong advocate. Write to your representatives for the REDI Act and Protect Our TEETH Act to earn two more points towards your certificate. Record eight points by February 1 to earn your custom advocacy certificate.

Submit Your Points

From Classroom to Capitol

NYU ASDA partnered with Columbia ASDA and the New York County Dental Society to educate dental students on the critical role organized dentistry plays in shaping legislation. Faculty, organized dentistry leaders, and students emphasized that advocacy is not just a dental school activity but a lifelong professional commitment.

The Legislative Grassroots Network Event Grant supported this event. Don’t miss out on up to $500 for your chapter’s next advocacy event! Apply to the LGN Event Grant by October 1.

Apply Here

Student Loans Corner

ASDA Submits Comments on New Rulemaking Bodies

On August 27, ASDA submitted comments to the Department of Education on the creation of two new rulemaking bodies that will implement changes to student loans passed in the One Big Beautiful Bill.

Read the Comments

Thank you to all members who shared comments to the Department of Education. Making your voice heard is vital to making government officials aware of how changes to student loans will impact dental students everywhere.

Organized Dentistry Coalition Shares Recommendations for OBBB Implementation

ASDA joined other members of organized dentistry to advocate for dental students as the Department of Education looks to implement changes to student loans. The coalition wrote recommendations in response to ED-2025-OPE-0151.

The coalition letter urges the Department of Education to closely monitor and report how the changes will affect the cost to attend dental school, dental school enrollment trends, workforce distribution, the growing influence of corporate dental practice models, and more.

Read the Letter

ASDA is Here to Help

A U.S. News & World Report survey revealed that only one-fifth of college students fully understand the new changes to federal student loans. ASDA partnered with College Ave to help dental students navigate changes to student loans and financing their dental education.

Watch the Webinar

New Rules Would Limit Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness

On August 18, the Department of Education issued a proposed rule that would make certain employers that have a “substantial illegal purpose” ineligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. These activities include “supporting terrorism, aiding or abetting discrimination or violations of immigration laws, or child abuse…” This proposed rule follows President Trump’s March Executive Order, “Restoring Public Service Loan Forgiveness.”

Student Loan Forgiveness Pause Continues for Borrowers

The Department of Education previously shared that pauses in student loan forgiveness processing were due to an internal system update and legal decisions regarding the SAVE plan. The Department of Education reported that its backlog of borrowers switching to different payment plans grew to over 1.3 million by the end of July.

11 Democratic senators wrote to the Department of Education demanding answers related to the extended pause for student loan forgiveness. ASDA will keep you informed on the status of the studnt loan forgiveness pause.

In Other News

Last month, the ADA sent resources to every state on how to remove stigmatizing questions about mental health and substance use disorders from the dental licensure process. Read more.
Last week, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. testified before the Senate Finance Committee following the firing of more than 500 employees at the CDC, including CDC Director Susan Monarez. Watch the hearing here.
A new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services process will require states to send the federal government monthly enrollment reports to ensure that only citizens or qualifying immigrants are enrolled in Medicaid. Read more.
The CDC announced its anti-smoking public service campaign will end in September. Since its 2012 launch, the CDC estimates the campaign has helped one million people successfully quit smoking. ASDA’s I-4 Policy encourages federal agencies to dedicate resources to better understand the effects of tobacco, e-cigarettes, and vaping products on oral health.

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