Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) members and staff attended the 2005 Annual Meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) in Seattle, Washington on August 17-19, 2005 representing general dentistry to the 5,000 plus state legislators, legislative staff and state and government officials.
Legislative and Governmental Affairs council member Gavin Harrell, DDS, FAGD, along with AGD staff, worked with members to convey AGD’s core purpose and agenda to over 350 state legislators and hundreds more legislative staff from every state and scores of government officials.
“It is amazing to see as many state legislators all in one place at the same time. What an opportunity to advocate for the AGD,” said attendee Bryan Edgar, DDS, MAGD.
Members from Washington state representing the AGD included Dr. Edgar, Linda Edgar, DDS, MAGD and Gary E. Heyamoto, DDS, MAGD.
"I felt honored to have had an opportunity to meet and talk with lawmakers about using AGD as a dependable and reliable resource. Repeated exposure about the AGD serving as a 'go to' organization for general dentists will help to increase the likelihood that future laws and regulations will be based on fact and not hearsay," says Dr. Heyamoto.
Exhibiting alongside fellow organized dental associations the American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons allowed the AGD to share ideas with other professional organizations also trying to inform representatives of the importance of oral health care.
“Participating in the conference gave us a great opportunity to talk to and network with legislators about the AGD and its role in encouraging dentists to pursue life-long learning which ultimately helps the public receive better care. We were also able to talk to representatives from like-minded associations in an effort discuss issues that affect all our organizations and our desire to create collaboration to improve our profession,” says Dr. Linda Edgar.
The AGD made its mark on hundreds of legislators and post meeting set up a section of the AGD Web site with contact information for legislators so that members may write a letter thanking them for their continued service to the AGD.
“This three day event was a continuous encounter with state representatives and senators from the entire nation,” says Dr. Harrell. “Organized dentistry had an opportunity to remind every state about oral health and at times to discuss ways to address its future in their states."