Last month, ASDA celebrated its first-ever Legislative Action Week (LAW) by challenging members across the country to unite in taking action on issues directly impacting dental students. 478 individuals sent 2,617 messages to legislators to advocate for affordable student loans, community water fluoridation and access to care.  

Congratulations to District 9 for winning the 2026 LAW District Challenge by recruiting 176 advocates! 

Last week, Ana G. Méndez hosted a “Brush Up on Advocacy” competition to highlight key issues impacting dental students. Participants worked in teams to deliver a policy pitch on dental student debt, dentist retention in Puerto Rico, gaps in dental education or access to fluoride. Students explained the relevance of their issues and offered potential policy solutions, ending the night with a bowling social.

This event was supported by ASDA’s Legislative Grassroots Network (LGN) Event Grant. Learn more here.

The Department of Education's Reimagining Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee published its final rules to implement changes to federal student loans. The rules include the following:

ASDA will continue to keep members informed as additional information is made available from the Department of Education. 

On April 30, ASDA and 14 other dental organizations wrote to Congress urging continued support for oral health infrastructure within the Department of Health and Human Services. The letter comes in response to the President’s FY 2027 Appropriations request that included cuts to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Oral Health, and the Health Resources and Services Administration dental programs.

A new study by researchers from the University of Minnesota, the University of Wisconsin and the University of Michigan found that drinking fluoridated water has no impact on IQ or cognitive functioning. This study builds on decades of research showing that community water fluoridation is a safe and effective public health advancement that can reduce caries by up to 25%.

ASDA is committed to supporting science-backed policies that improve accessibility to fluoridated water.

The Louisiana Senate passed SB4, a bill that would allow communities the choice to remove fluoride from their public water supply. To do so, 15 percent of the community’s residents would need to sign a petition to hold a special election.

Last month, the bill was introduced in the Louisiana House and referred to its Committee on Health and Welfare. A committee vote has yet to be scheduled.

Tennessee’s 2026 legislative session ended on April 23. SB 0162/HB 2396, which would have prohibited local water systems from adding any fluoride to their supply, was defeated by a single vote. SB 2304/HB 2471 sought to ban the sale of fluoridated bottled water and failed to advance out of the committee. The Tennessee Dental Association discussed both bills during its lobby day.

Advocacy wins don’t always come from a vote count. Writing and calling legislators who serve in key healthcare committees can help stop bills before they reach a House or Senate floor. These lawmakers often hold hearings to gather testimony and understand the facts of bills prior to committee votes—which is why your voice is essential.