From ASDA

Are you "REDI" to learn about the REDI Act?

Got a minute? Last month, we introduced ASDA's newest advocacy initiative: Sixty Seconds to Advocacy!

Sometimes, all it takes is a minute to get involved with advocacy.

September's activity: Send a letter supporting the REDI Act.

The Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act would suspend all interest accrual and defer payments on federal student loans until after dental residency is completed.

Learn more here.

Check out the advocacy leaderboard

Congrats to our current top 3 leaders in the Advocacy Certificate Program!

Earn points by participating in advocacy initiatives like attending a chapter advocacy event, signing up for text alerts, or even sending a letter like the Sixty Seconds to Advocacy activity above! Submit 8 points to earn the certificate.

Q&A with Louisville and the Red Bird Dental Clinic

Q: Can you tell us a little more about the Red Bird Dental Clinic?

A: The Red Bird Dental Clinic is a clinic that treats patients in the eastern Kentucky community. Typically, these patients have no insurance or are on Medicaid. There were patients of all ages – from pediatric patients getting cleanings to geriatric patients getting extractions.

Q: What’s something you’ve learned from your experience at the clinic?

A: Patients will go out of their way to find care when they are in pain. Not everyone is willing to treat patients without insurance or on Medicaid. In a place like eastern Kentucky, it can be hard to find quality care or a dentist to help you when you are in need.

Q: What’s something you think dental students should know about your experience?

A: I think it is a great opportunity as a provider to understand that dentistry isn’t all about the money. We are the only ones that are capable of performing dental treatment, and we need to understand the power that actually holds. People are in pain, and for clinics like this to exist in a rural town, that is affordable for patients in need, is really a beautiful thing.

-Darra Hyde, Louisville ’24

Why does it matter?

This program is part of Louisville’s external rotations for D4 students. ASDA’s B-7 policy encourages all dental schools adopt extramural clinical rotations, such as the Red Bird Dental Clinic, in underserved areas as part of their curriculum.

Interested in other ways you can serve your community? Applications for ASDA’s Dentistry in the Community Grant are open. Apply for funding today.

From Washington

Action for Dental Health Act pends while Congress went on recess

On July 19, the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously voted to advance H.R. 3843, the Action for Dental Health (ADH) Act. This action was the final step required to move this bill to the entire House of Representatives floor for a vote.

Congress then adjourned for the August recess– leaving this bill in limbo. The Senate returned to office on September 5, and the House recently returned on September 12. Now, Congress has until September 30 to reauthorize the ADH before funding expires.

The Action for Dental Health Act provides funding for the Health Resources and Service Administration oral health workforce grant program. Among the ADH’s many important initiatives, it supports state-based efforts to reduce dental disease through oral health education, aims to grow the oral health workforce in needed areas, and strives to reduce emergency department visits by establishing dental homes.

ASDA sent a letter in support of this bill earlier this summer and will continue to keep you updated as we closely monitor the bill’s progress.

Biden administration launches new tools for loan borrowers

As reported in the July issue of Advocacy Brief, the Supreme Court struck down President Biden’s plan to relieve up to $20,000 of student loan debt on June 30, 2023. Now, the Administration is launching new programs and tools to help borrowers manage the burden of their debt.

A new federal program, the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) program determines payments based on income and family size. The program also seeks to prevent interest accrual from accelerating.

New tools and resources are also available on the studentaid.gov website. A new loan simulator helps you calculate payments and choose a repayment option that meets your needs and goals. Answers to frequently asked questions can help you navigate situations you may be experiencing.

Why does it matter?

For the first time in more than three years, interest on federal student loans began accruing again on September 1. While borrowers often aren’t required to make payments on their loans while in school, there is the option to pay down loans, including paying down interest, that could save money in the long run. Log in here to make sure you understand the terms of your loan and any implications for your payments.

From the States

Dentist and dental hygienist compact introduced in Pennsylvania

On July 25 and August 16, legislation was introduced in Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives and state Senate, respectively, that would allow Pennsylvania to join the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact.

As reported in the May issue of Advocacy Brief, once seven state legislatures adopt the model compact bill, the compact will become active – creating a system of reciprocity among participating states to reduce the barriers of licensure portability. Licensees who live in states that are compact members can apply for a “compact privilege” that will allow them to participate in another member state.

Click here to learn more about the DDH Compact and the future of dental licensure.

North Carolina misses Medicaid expansion date

In March 2023, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (D) signed legislation to authorize North Carolina’s state Medicaid program to provide coverage for people who earn up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Implementation was dependent upon receiving funding through this year’s state’s budget. While the budget was supposed to be set by July 1, legislators continue to disagree over items like tax cuts and raises for public employees. Now, implementation of the expanded Medicaid program may be delayed until 2024.

Why does it matter? State officials have estimated the expansion would cover around 600,000 adults in North Carolina who earn too much money to qualify for traditional Medicaid but too little to receive even heavily subsidized private insurance. To date, 41 states (including DC) have adopted Medicaid expansion. 10 states have not adopted the expansion, including North Carolina.

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