Organized dentistry
Dental advocacy
Work to influence laws, rules and public programs that affect dentists and patients, carried out through testimony, public comment, member action and meetings with officials.
Dental advocacy is work to shape public policy on dentistry and oral health. The ADA describes its own advocacy as pursuing changes for the profession and public, and lists issues such as workforce, community prevention and research funding.
Advocacy can include testimony, public comment, member action and meetings with officials. State and local societies also advocate on their own agendas. Dentists and students sometimes join events at state capitols or in Washington.
The work can include direct dental lobbying, though advocacy is the wider term. It happens through organized dentistry and the American Dental Association. This entry is a general definition. It takes no side on any policy.