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Submit your points to earn!
Did you know that ASDA’s Advocacy Certificate Program rewards your participation in initiatives you’re already doing? Earn a point for every letter you send, advocacy event you attend, and advocacy webinar you watch! There are many other ways to earn points as well. For example, sign up for ASDA Action text alerts to earn a point right now. Submit 8 points to receive a custom certificate and letter from the ASDA president.
Congrats to our current leaderboard as of July 5, 2023:
• 1st place: Jared Jacobson, Boston. 12 points.
• 2nd place: Carter Coppinger, Iowa. 10 points.
• 3rd place: Natasha Boyce, Midwestern-AZ; Ciara Sandefur, Kentucky; Mira Lavellee, Texas-San Antonio; Adam Yang, Harvard. All with 6 points.
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ASDA speaks up on student debt, workforce shortages and vaping
ASDA recently signed onto several letters that align with our positions, policies, and mission. ASDA and organized dentistry’s strength prevails when we stand united.
• On June 6, along with nearly 40 other organizations, ASDA sent a letter to leaders of the Senate HELP committee urging they consider the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act. Without it, thousands of dollars in loan interest are set to pile up for borrowers.
The REDI Act would allow borrowers to qualify for interest-free deferment on their student loans while serving in a medical or dental residency.
We need YOUR help to tell Congress that students need debt relief now. Click here to tell your legislator you support the REDI Act.
• On June 22, ASDA along with 10 others, was listed as an endorsing organization of the Dental Loan Repayment Assistance Act. Too often, dentists feel forced to choose private practice instead of education so they can pay off their student loans. Attracting more dental school faculty is critical so that future dentists can help eliminate health professional shortage areas.
The Dental Loan Repayment Assistance Act aims to increase the number of dental faculty in the workforce through loan forgiveness.
• On June 29, ASDA, along with nearly 20 other organizations, sent a letter to Congress addressing these very same workforce shortage concerns. Inadequate numbers of health care professionals, coupled with unbalanced distribution, result in a lack of access to healthcare for many people. The letter suggests Congress’ attention to various areas to address this problem, including changes to tax policy, student loan relief and funding workforce grant/public service programs.
• On May 31, ASDA was listed with over 40 organizations in support of the Congressional Caucus to End the Youth Vaping Epidemic. Since its founding in 2019, the Caucus has been dedicated to educating members of Congress, public servants, and community stakeholders on the history of tobacco policy and regulation – especially as it pertains to e-cigarettes.
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Columbia students use ASDA grant to provide oral cancer screenings
ASDA members of Columbia University, College of Dental Medicine recently hosted an event to provide free oral cancer screenings and dental check-pus for members of the New York Common Pantry in Harlem, NY. About 30 volunteers came together to provide care for this community with elevated risk for oral cancer.
One student shared, “It was inspiring to see the impact we can make as students and later as practitioners in our community, helping community members establish new dental homes and promoting oral health.”
Another shared, “it was informative yet gratifying to find ways to break the potentially intimidating exterior we have to promote oral health on a person-to-person level in the communities that need it most.”
Why does it matter? ASDA’s H-1 policy encourages the participation of interested dental students in efforts to impact the oral health of the public through projects, education, internships, externships and outreach to underserved populations.
How can you get involved? Columbia ASDA hosted this event with help from ASDA’s 2022 Dentistry in the Community grant. This grant, as aligned with ASDA’s H-1 policy, is intended to support an event that focuses on prevention of dental disease and/or promotion of oral health for any underserved population. Applications for this grant and all ASDA grants open on August 1.
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Supreme Court rejects student loan forgiveness program
In a 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court struck down the Biden Administration’s proposal to forgive $400 billion in student-loan debt. The Court determined that the Administration overstepped its authority in attempting to implement a plan that would have relieved up to $20,000 per person for eligible borrowers, as reported in the September 2022 issue of Advocacy Brief. Estimates suggest that the plan would have helped about 40 million people. Now, the Biden Administration announced a “new path” for loan forgiveness and started a federal rulemaking process. They also announced plans for a temporary “on-ramp” repayment program. Under this program, those who miss loan payments won’t be referred to credit agencies for 12 months.
Accruing interest on student loans will resume on September 1, 2023. Monthly payment requirements begin in October 2023.
Be alert! The Federal Trade Commission has issued a consumer alert to be wary of texts or robocalls offering to “help” you with your loans. Scammers often take advantage of confusion around big announcements. Visit StudentAid.gov for reliable information.
Why does it matter? ASDA supports initiatives to reduce the burden of student debt such as loan forgiveness programs. Check this list of loan forgiveness programs for opportunities in your state and nationally.
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More than 1 million people have lost access to Medicaid
During the pandemic, the federal government prohibited states from ending Medicaid participants’ coverage. This process ended in April 2023 when states were required to resume evaluating beneficiaries’ eligibility. Since mid-June, over 1 million people have been disenrolled from Medicaid. About half of those disenrolled live in Florida, Arizona, and Arkansas.
In some states, more than 80% of disenrollments were due to “procedural reasons,” such as failure to return paperwork, rather than actual ineligibility for the program. Because of concerns that participants were losing coverage due to procedural and other avoidable reasons, state governors have now been instructed to slow down their disenrollment process.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has rolled out new flexibilities such as allowing help when filling out paperwork in an effort to prevent these procedural disenrollments.
Why does it matter? ASDA continues to advocate to make comprehensive dental care a mandatory component of Medicaid coverage for adults. In addition to assistance at the state level, ASDA has advocated for legislation that would ease the administrative burden for dentists who see Medicaid patients, as well as for legislation that would expand Medicaid dental services in all 50 states.
We need YOUR help to tell Congress that all adults on Medicaid deserve access to comprehensive dental care. Click here to tell your legislator you support the Medicaid Dental Benefit Act.
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New DEA training for dentists and other prescribers
Any dentist who prescribers Schedule II, III, IV or V controlled substances must register with the Drug Enforcement Agency every three years. As of June 27, all DEA-registered practitioners will now be required to complete a training on the treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance-use disorders. This will apply for initial registration (such as new dentists) as well as renewal registrations.
Dental schools may certify that current graduates, and those who graduated within the last five years, meet the required DEA training. Most dental school curriculums already require classes for graduation that will satisfy the new requirement. It is advised to keep a copy of your school’s certificate of completion to satisfy the training if you anticipate applying for a DEA registration.
Why does it matter? The new required DEA training covers topics such as treating and managing patients with opioid or other substance use disorders and safe pharmacological management of dental pain. This aligns with ASDA’s B-13 policy which encourages all dental schools to provide education on evidence-based prescribing and resources for dental students to appropriately address opioids with their patients.
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Ohio state Senate passes Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact
On May 31, Ohio’s state Senate passed a bill that would allow the state to join the Dentist and Dental Hygienist (DDH) Compact. The bill has been sent to the House for consideration.
As reported in the May and June 2023 issues of Advocacy Brief, the compact will be enacted once 7 states join. The DDH compact will create reciprocity among participating states and reduce the barriers of licensure portability.
Iowa became the first state to join the compact on April 27, 2023. Washington and Tennessee joined shortly thereafter. To date, the bill has been introduced in eight states.
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Nevada and Delaware provide options for student debt relief
On June 9, Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) signed legislation to create a new student loan repayment program for health care providers, including dentists, who work in underserved communities. Once implemented, the Student Loan Repayment for Providers of Health Care in Underserved Communities Program will provide up to $120,000 in student loan repayments to health care providers who work in eligible professions in specified geographic areas.
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On June 21 and 28, the Delaware House and Senate, respectively, passed legislation that would make dentists eligible to participate in the state’s Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Grant Program. The bill also extends the time in which providers may apply for a Health Care Provider Loan Repayment grant from six months to two years, following completion of their graduate education.
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Washington Governor Signs Bill to Allow Dental Therapists to Practice Statewide
On May 15, Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed legislation that will allow dental therapists to practice anywhere in the state. Prior to this legislation, Washington state limited the practice of dental therapy to tribal lands.
The bill establishes requirements for licensure, scope of practice and elements that must be included in a collaborative practice agreement with a licensed dentist. Unlike many states that have passed dental therapy legislation, this bill would not limit dental therapists to practicing in public health settings or require them to treat a certain percentage of patients who are uninsured or enrolled in Medicaid.
Dental therapists are currently recognizes in 13 states and two territories.
Why does it matter? ASDA believes that the dentist is the only dental provider that should perform the following: diagnosis and treatment planning, prescribing work authorizations, performing surgical/irreversible dental procedures, and prescribing drugs and/or other medications.
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