Dental Day at the Capitol ‘23
Dental Day at the Capitol | February 6, 2023 | Author: Alec Weiss (IU & District 7 Advocacy Chair ‘22-23)
Attendees: Indiana University School of Dentistry D3s (Class of 2024)
Every year, the Indiana Dental Association hosts “Dental Day at the Capitol” at the Indiana statehouse in Indianapolis. The event is held while Indiana legislators are in town during legislative session to write new laws for the state. The purpose of Dental Day is to bring together dentists and dental students to lobby on behalf of legislation that affects the professionals of the dental community and the patients they serve.
Next Dental Day at the Capitol: February 5, 2024
The day begins with information sessions that briefly describe the legislative process in Indiana and outline bills that the Indiana Dental Association is supporting. Several legislators will stop by to meet the group and learn about the bills affecting dentistry.
The IDA and IUSD students go the statehouse for lunch, with opportunities to mingle with other legislators and staffers present that day.
The dentists’ presence in the statehouse is known, especially by the matching blue scarves everyone is given to wear.
If there is time, students can watch the legislative process in action, by visiting the galleries of the House of Representatives and/or Senate.
The importance of dental advocacy cannot be overstated and brings all facets of the dental community together in a united effort. Whether you are a private practice dentist, corporate dentist, specialist, or hygienist, policy formed at both state and federal levels directly affects how you can practice and the relationship that you have with your patients.
In Indiana there is currently only one dentist, Dr. Denny Zent, serving in the House of Representatives. Otherwise, the reality is that most legislators don’t know a whole lot about dentistry. Yet, they are the ones who vote on the policies that directly affect our profession. As such, it is incumbent that the dental community organizes in this manner to help educate, inform, and lobby for or against changes that will impact dentistry.
Dental Day at the Capitol is one of the most effective programs to make our voices heard and effectuate positive change for our industry.
