Advocacy: A Key Member Benefit

Advocacy:

A Key Member Benefit

By Mike Eggnatz, DDS

Advocacy is consistently ranked as the one of the most valuable membership benefits by members of the American Dental Association (ADA). It is a comprehensive term that encompasses many facets of our relationship with legislators who determine the scope of our dental license and our profession.

There are national issues we advocate for through the American Dental Political Action Committee (ADPAC), and many more here in Florida through the Florida Dental Association Political Action Committee (FDAPAC). National issues we have successfully advocated for are the repeal of the McCarran-Ferguson Act (a law that exempts insurance companies, including health insurance companies, from some of the antitrust laws) and an appropriate pathway for a dental benefit in Medicare if it were to be included in legislation.

At the FDA, you can be directly influential as a grassroots dentist by becoming a legislative contact dentist (LCD). You can have a direct and immediate impact on legislation that affects your

dental license and your ability to practice your profession. It’s easy, local and personal with your local representative or senator, whom you may already know or even have as a patient in your practice.

You are the elected official’s constituent and a respected professional who can and should educate them with simple messaging on subjects you already know well, like the importance of fluoridation in community drinking water, funding for the Dental Student Loan Repayment Program and Donated Dental Services program, Florida Mission of Mercy and Reducing the Insurers’ Recovery of Overpayment to Providers and Liability for Health Care Providers. Educating your local legislators who represent you in Tallahassee is in your interest and it protects the profession that you have earned with your degree(s). Get involved and stay informed for everyone’s sake. All politics are local, and you can make a difference at home and at the state level. You are an important messenger, and the FDA can help you with the right messaging to educate your legislator(s). Contact the FDA’s Governmental Affairs Office at gao@floridadental.org or 850.224.1089 to become more involved. It truly takes little time and effort, but has a tremendous influence on all of us and our profession!

Dr. Eggnatz is a member of the FDA House of Delegates and a delegate to the 17th District Delegation to the ADA.

You can be directly influential as a grassroots dentist by becoming a legislative contact dentist (LCD). You can have a direct and immediate impact on legislation that affects your dental license and your ability to practice your profession.