We're taking a look into ADA advocacy: the wins, the hurdles, and the real behind‑the‑scenes work that is shaping oral health now.

Featured Guest: Dr. Laurie Rosato

Special Guest: Dr. Sara Stuefen

For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast

Show Notes

In this episode, Dr. Laurie Rosato joins us to explain how advocacy shapes daily dental practice, why it's essential for protecting patient care, and how the American Dental Association is advocating for the profession.

Dr. Laurie Rosato is a practicing dentist in Concord, New Hampshire. A long-standing member of the American Dental Association, and an active member of her state and local society. Her passion has always been to be involved with shaping the profession, and she advocates every year at the NH Statehouse on current issues. She has served her state level Government Affairs team as Chair for over 10 years and currently serves on the Council for Government Affairs at the ADA. Dr. Rosato currently is also President Elect of the New Hampshire Dental Society. She is passionate about teaching and brings students every semester into her practice to learn about dentistry; several have gone on to become dentists; many have become assistants and hygienists.

Dr. Rosato shares her journey from becoming interested in advocacy, to testifying at the New Hampshire statehouse, and serving on the ADA Council on Government Affairs, highlighting how grassroots action informs national strategy.

Some of the biggest misconceptions around advocacy, Dr. Rosato explains, are about seemingly "slow" progress, with Dr. Rosato detailing the complex process of bill sponsorship, education, and persistence on Capitol Hill.

The conversation spotlights some recent wins for dental advocacy, including the Massachusetts MLR bill as a case study in patient‑powered advocacy and how it sparked nationwide reform efforts.

Dr. Rosato shares examples of the work ADA advocacy is doing now, and that they've been able to introduce or support 26 bills in Congress over the past two years.

Dr. Sara Stuefen, a general dentist in Iowa, a Tenth District Trustee of the American Dental Association, and Vice Chair of the Iowa Dental Political Action Committee, joins us to explain the latest developments in dental insurance reform, ERISA, and how the ADA is pushing Congress on this issue.

The conversation closes with a call to action and an explanation on why dentist voices matter at every level- local, state, and national.

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