The ADA’s Community Dental Health Coordinator (CDHC) program, launched in 2006 to provide community-based prevention, care coordination, and patient navigation to connect people who typically don’t receive care from a dentist. Listen to CDHC Gena Riley discuss how she is removing barriers and connecting students in rural and urban areas to dental care in Delaware.

On this episode of Tooth Talk, guest host Megan Mortimer, Congressional Lobbyist, and Peter sit down with Nicole Catral Senior Manager, Social Responsibility and Philanthropy at the ADA. Nicole talks about the realignment of the ADA Foundation and the creation of her new division. She also dives into the ADA’s Give Kids a Smile program by providing a history of the program, its future goals, the dentists that volunteer their time to participate, and stats on the number of kids seen through...

On this episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah and Peter sit down with Alexandra Abboud, Governmental Affairs Liaison for the Florida Dental Association and Matt Rossetto, Director of Government Services for the Wisconsin Dental Association. The four dig into the differences between state and federal lobbying, different approaches to advocacy, and the important role dentists play in shaping the laws that govern their practice. With their effervescent personalities and extensive knowledge, Alexandra and...

On Tooth Talk’s first episode of 2020, Sarah and Peter celebrate the 75th anniversary of community water fluoridation by sitting down with Ms. Tooka Zokaie, the ADA’s Manager for Fluoridation & Preventive Health Activities. Ms. Zokaie talks about her role at the ADA and the benefits of community water fluoridation, as well as the science behind it. She also walks us through some of the myths and facts surrounding fluoride and dives deeper into the ADA’s other preventive health activities.

In Tooth Talk’s final episode of 2019, Sarah and Peter look ahead to the 2020 elections and what the state of the race looks like as the calendar turns. Your hosts give their predictions on the 2020 Senate races, as well as how current events and recent retirement announcements may shape the House races. Sarah and Peter also share where our own dentist members of Congress stand in their reelection bids.

On this episode of Tooth Talk Sarah and Peter welcome back Mike Graham, ADA Senior Vice-President of Government and Public Affairs, with an update on the issues the ADA Washington team is working on. Mike talks about the political climate in Washington, where our issues are in the current environment, and the successes in 2019. Mike also provides his outlook on 2020 from the Congressional session to the Presidential Election.

On this reflective and somber episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah and Peter talk with Dr. Matt Neary of New York about his experiences as a forensic dentist. Dr. Neary recounts the incredible work that he and the dental team at the NYC Medical Examiner’s Office did after the tragic events of September 11th and the calling they all felt to ensure that families had answers. Some may find this episode difficult and discretion is advised, but we felt it necessary to tell this story and highlight these...

Tooth Talk turns 1! On this special birthday episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah and Peter reflect on the first year of the show. They highlight what they have learned, their favorite episodes, and what's next for the show. Join us in wishing Tooth Talk a very happy birthday.

On this episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah and Peter sit down with the Chief Executive Officer of “the other ADA”, the Australian Dental Association, Damian Mitsch. Damian highlights some of the similarities between issues facing dentists in Australia and their counterparts in the U.S. The three also discuss Australian politics—from the structure of their Parliament to mandatory voting—as well as what advocacy and lobbying look like in Australia.

On this episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah and Peter report live from ADA 2019 in San Francisco, sitting down with Dr. Craig Armstrong, 15th District Trustee and former Chair of the Council on Government Affairs (CGA). Dr. Armstrong discusses what led him to dentistry and how he got started in organized dentistry, as well as where he sees the profession heading in the future. He also talks about his goals as a Trustee and his proudest achievements on CGA.

In this episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah and Peter talk with new dentist and ADPAC fellow Dr. Michelle Szewczyk of Detroit. Dr. Szewczyk talks about her journey through dental school and the challenges faced by new graduates. She also shares her perspective on the importance of advocacy and the role of organized dentistry, as well as what she learned during her summer in Washington D.C.

In Tooth Talk’s last installment of our Dentist in Congress series, Sarah and Peter sit down with Arizona Congressman Paul Gosar. Rep. Gosar talks about his time in Congress, his unusually direct path to the House of Representatives, and his work across the aisle. In addition to discussing his love of his home state of Arizona, he also addresses some of the criticism he faces.

In Tooth Talk’s latest Dentist in Congress installment, Sarah and Peter sit down with the newest member of the dental caucus, New Jersey Congressman Jeff Van Drew. Rep. Van Drew talks about his journey to Congress from small-town mayor, to the New Jersey State House, and finally the halls of Congress, and the effect it has had on his governing philosophy. Rep. Van Drew also discusses his work on the Natural Resources Committee and other issues he is passionate about.

In this episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah and Peter talk politics with ADA interns Abby McDonough, a Senior majoring in Political Science at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and Nate Turner, a Senior majoring in Political and Computer Science at the Ohio State University. Covering both the conservative and liberal standpoints, the four discuss generational differences in political views, how politics is perceived, and the upcoming 2020 Election.

On this episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah and Peter sit down with the ADA’s Executive Director, Dr. Kathleen O’Loughlin, to talk about her unconventional path to dental school, life as a dentist, and her multi-city/multi-profession lead up to the ADA. Dr. O’Loughlin touches on being the ADA’s first female executive director, and issues that face the profession.

On this episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah and Peter sit down with Dr. Dave Preble, Sr. Vice President, Practice Institute, to talk about the role of the Practice Institute in dentistry. Dr. Preble explains how the department has an important role in standards development, advocating for the dental profession through the delivery of dental resources, programs, products, and services related to the professional life and well-being of dentists.

In Tooth Talk’s new installment of Dentist in Congress, Sarah and Peter sit down with Representative Brian Babin of Texas to discuss his work on the Resident Education Deferred Interest” (REDI) Act, H.R. 1554, and the Science, Space and Technology Committee. Rep. Babin gives his views on what it is like being a dentist in Congress and the unique skills dentists bring to public service.

On this episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah and Peter sit down with April Kates-Ellison and Christine Chico of the ADA’s Client Services Department, to talk about the ways the department assists members as well as state associations. April and Chris walk Tooth Talk listeners through the ways that their department can help dentists through all stages of their career.

On this episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah and Peter sit down with the ADA’s Director of Congressional Affairs, Chris Tampio, to discuss new approaches to lobbying the ADA’s priorities in the 116th Congress. Chris discusses the current state of play in Congress, both from a political and policy perspective. He also details the behind the scenes activities of the congressional affairs team and their often unrecognized direct effect on federal policies that could impact dentistry.

In this episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah is joined by guest host Baker Howry, Lead Project Assistant for the ADA’s DC office, to talk with Peter Aiello, the ADA’s Manager of Grassroots and Digital Advocacy, about the importance of getting involved. We also learn a little more about Peter’s background in political campaigns and how encouraging members of Congress to support an issue is like persuading voters to vote for your candidate: it takes a story and a personal touch.

In this episode of Tooth Talk Sarah and Peter are joined by Natalie Hales and Megan Mortimer to debrief about the 2019 ADA Dentist and Student Lobby Day. Megan and Natalie were Tooth Talk’s reporters in the field as they interview dentists, students and state constituent staff attendees to get their take on Lobby Day, advocacy, and the future of the Tooth Party!

In Tooth Talk’s latest installment of our Dentist in Congress series, Sarah and Peter sit down with Georgia Representative Drew Ferguson to discuss what it is like to be in Congress; his hometown of West Point, GA; and all things Georgia Dawgs. Rep. Ferguson also shares how he went from being a rural dentist to small-town mayor and now a member of Congress. What's more, he discusses his work on the House Ways and Means Committee and his appointment as Chief Deputy Minority Whip.

In this episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah and Peter sit down with the dean of North Carolina dental politics, Dr. Gary Oyster, as he discusses the importance of dentists getting involved in the political process. Drawing on his long-standing leadership experience in the North Carolina dental community, he shares his thoughts and tips on how dentists can use advocacy, relationship building, and events to play a more active role in improving the oral health of our country.

In this episode of Tooth Talk from the halls of Congress, Sarah and Peter sit down with Representative Mike Simpson of Idaho, to learn what it is like to be a dentist serving in Congress. We learn about the path Congressman Simpson took from Blackfoot, Idaho to Washington D.C., his work on the House Appropriations Committee, and his feeling on the signing into law of The Action for Dental Health Act which he introduced. Rep. Simpson also provides advice to dentists thinking of running for...

In this episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah and Peter sit down with Dr. Jane Grover, Director of the ADA’s Council on Advocacy for Access and Prevention, to talk about what the Council is working on including community water fluoridation and emergency department referral programs. We also start to dig into how the Action for Dental Health Act, a new law geared towards improving oral health, will impact programs and how our dentists can take advantage of these programs.