ASDA’s Advocacy Certificate Program (ACP) is designed to help you develop lifelong advocacy skills in every stage of your advocacy journey. With the launch of this year’s program, challenges you complete now count for even more: 

The 2026 ACP is open now through Nov. 30.

Case Western Reserve and Ohio State teamed up to compete in the Advocacy Olympics back in February.

Looking for funding for your next advocacy event? Chapter leaders can now apply for ASDA's Legislative Grassroots Network (LGN) Grant. ASDA will fund up to six in-person advocacy events; Apply by Oct. 1.

While Congress is on recess for most of August, let's take a look back on recent ASDA Advocacy work from the summer.

ASDA is committed to joining forces with allies in organized dentistry to advance policies that benefit dental students and the profession. In July alone, ASDA signed onto three coalition letters in efforts to push bills before midterms. 

As a member of the Organized Dentistry Coalition, ASDA signed letters in July thanking the congressional sponsors for introducing the Medicaid Dental Benefit Act and the Ensuring Kids Have Access to Medically Necessary Dental Care Act. The Medicaid Dental Benefit Act would mandate all 50 states and the District of Columbia to include dental and oral health services in Medicaid coverage for adults. The Ensuring Kids Have Access to Medically Necessary Dental Care Act seeks to eliminate restrictions for dental care under the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). 

ASDA joined the ELSA Coalition to advocate for the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA). If passed, ELSA would require insurance companies to cover the cost of medically necessary procedures to correct birth defects that may affect a child’s ability to eat or breathe. With 177 co-sponsors in the House and 52 co-sponsors in the Senate, ASDA signed a coalition letter urging the bill’s assigned committees to take up the bill before the end of the 119th Congress.  

Join ASDA and the ELSA Coalition the week of Aug. 24 to advocate for ELSA. This bill is important for many families to access critical care for their children. Use ASDA Action to write legislators and help make a final push before the midterm elections. 

On July 20, H.R. 2001, the Action for Dental Health Act passed in the U.S. House of Representatives. If signed into law, the bill would reauthorize funding for dental workforce programs and oral health services in health professional shortage areas. On July 23, the bill was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP). ASDA will continue to monitor and update members on the bill’s status. Read more.