Stay informed on advocacy issues impacting dental students through ASDA Action Text Alerts. Sign up to receive timely updates on policy developments, advocacy opportunities and ways to take action. Once enrolled, submit your scorecard for the Advocacy Certificate Program (ACP).

See the current ACP standings here. Nov. 30 is the deadline to submit ACP scorecards and Chapter Challenge entries.

ASDA Advocacy Month returns in November with the theme, “Advocacy Beyond the Chair: Shaping the Future of Healthcare.” Members can strengthen their advocacy skills, earn ACP points and participate in chapter activities, including Advocacy Trivia and other engagement opportunities throughout the month. Chapters are encouraged to start planning now.

On Sept. 17, the Nebraska ASDA chapter hosted state legislators for a student-led afternoon at the school. Legislative Liaison Kerry Zhu organized the visit as part of the chapter's growing focus on in-district advocacy. Students guided senators through the patient clinics and simulation lab, and several legislators sat down at the college's virtual reality simulators to try an occlusal preparation and a guided implant placement. Students spoke with senators directly about why they chose dentistry and what their training has been like. 

On Oct. 5, ASDA submitted comments to the Department of Health and Human Services to advocate for keeping oral health programs in Head Start programs. The proposed rule looks to eliminate federal requirements for toothbrushing and access to preventative dental services for children in Head Start programs. Caries is the most prevalent chronic disease for children, and more than 685,000 children depend on oral health services and education through Head Start programs.

Last month, a group of individuals enrolled in Medicaid programs challenging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)’s new Medicaid work requirement. The lawsuit argues that the requirements place an undue burden on applicants who must now prove that their condition impacts their ability to comply with the work requirements. The complaint also seeks judicial review for provisions that fail to grant exemptions to individuals in stable recovery from substance abuse disorders. 

Governors from California, Maine, New Mexico, Oregon and Virginia formally requested that CMS delay its new Medicaid work requirements, arguing that the approaching Jan. 1 deadline does not give states enough time to make the major systemic changes to comply. The states have proposed Jan. 1, 2027, as a more reasonable implementation deadline.

ASDA will continue to monitor the status of Medicaid work requirements and its impact on access to oral health care as information becomes available.

A group of 89 organizations supporting student loan borrowers wrote a letter highlighting the “unprecedented levels of confusion, misinformation, servicing errors and administrative failures” federal student loan borrowers face. As the Department of Education (ED) reorganizes federal programs, it is also working to implement a major overhaul of legislative and regulatory changes stemming from the One Big Beautiful Bill.

The letter calls on congressional leaders to convene an emergency hearing to better protect borrowers and hold the ED accountable. ASDA will continue to monitor the implementation of student loan changes and keep you informed. Read more.

This summer, the ED announced that borrowers who enrolled in autopay would receive a 1% interest rate discount on their federal loans for two years. This is an increase from the 0.25% discount typically offered for autopay enrollees.  

The ED reported that 2 million individuals took advantage of the deal by the original deadline of Sept. 30. The deadline for the 1% discount has been extended to Dec. 31, 2026. Federal student loan borrowers can opt in to autopay if they are within 45 days of the end of the after-graduation grace period. Read more about enrolling here.

A recent JAMA Open Network publication assessed more than 5,500 children to determine if a connection existed between prenatal fluoride consumption and children’s behavior. The study examined subjects from 20 sites across the United States, using census tract fluoride levels and parent-report assessments.

Researchers found no association between prenatal fluoride exposure and a child’s behavior. The study aligns with more than 80 years of scientific research supporting fluoride as a safe and cost-effective measure to prevent tooth decay. Read more.

On Sept. 29, Texas Comptroller Don Huffines announced an extensive review of community water fluoridation. A press release stated that the review is intended to investigate how taxpayer money is spent on fluoridating water and to “end the forced medicalization of Texans.” 

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that, when present in drinking water, strengthens enamel to help prevent tooth decay. While the Texas review suggests that taxpayer dollars are wasted on community water fluoridation, the ADA reports that $38 is saved in healthcare costs for every $1 invested in fluoridating water.