The goal of the Legislative Committee is to keep students informed on matters of public policy including ASDA legislative efforts and to organize opportunities for student engagement in the legislative process. ​

Student advocacy is important because it protects our interests as students and future dental professionals. Student advocates are integral members of the policy efforts initiated by local and national ASDA. We help by actively supporting or opposing legislation that may affect our current education and future profession.

 Ailyn Avila Portal
 Kelsey Archer
​Andrew Sadek

Current and upcoming advocacy efforts for NSU ASDA

• Contacted local elected officials discussing our stance on racism as a public health emergency
• Voter Registration initiative in September 2020
• ASDA Advocacy Molar Bear in November 2020
• Dentist Day on the Hill in March 2021 (Tallahassee, FL)
• ADA Dentist and Student Lobby Day 2021 (Washington, DC)
• Regular legislative updates
Text alert system informing member of critical issues
Helps students strengthen and develop their advocacy knowledge

National ASDA Current Issues

ASDA doesn’t have specific policies on legislation; however, ASDA is generally in favor of legislation that eliminates or reduces barriers to care and ensures that all members of the dental team are well-trained and qualified to deliver high quality care.

Licensure Reform
ASDA believes that “to protect the public, maintain the integrity of the profession of dentistry and ensure that only competent dental school graduates can gain a dental license, performing exams on human subjects in a high-stakes, one-shot scenario must end.” Licensure reform can only occur at the state level and we must work together to make a difference in our state.

​Dental Student Debt
ASDA considers the student growing debt a top priority and supports initiatives to reduce this burden on dental students. ASDA proposes measures including, but not limited to: reducing student loan interest rates, providing refinancing opportunities, and loan forgiveness.

Barriers to Care

ASDA encourages dental students to participate in projects, education, internships, and outreach programs to impact underserved communities. ASDA also supports early intervention, Medicaid expansion, and co-location of health services.  ​

Midlevel Providers
ASDA believes that only licensed dentists should be allowed to perform irreversible procedures, diagnose, treatment plan, prescribe, and authorize dental work on the public. ASDA does not believe midlevel provides are the solution to address barriers to care.  ​

Other Issues