Advocacy starts at the local level. These efforts are vital to progressing change on the state and federal levels. Here are a number of ways to be an informed and engaged advocate for dental student issues like alleviating student debt and reforming the dental licensure exam at the local level:

Stay Informed

• Read the Advocacy Brief for updates on legislative and regulatory activities.
• Watch our dental legislative videos on the issues facing dental students, licensure reform and how to lobby.
• Review Engage website for state legislation related to dental student issues.
• Review Chapter Advocacy How-to guide. 

Get Engaged

• Take part in Advocacy Month with your chapter
• Serve as a legislative liaison at your chapter (see page 9 in the sample chapter position descriptions)
• Attend a lunch & learn
• Participate in an "Advocacy Academy" with your state dental association 
• Attend or organize a state lobby day (chapter grants may be available to help cover expenses)
• Engage a lawmaker at your chapter
• Share your efforts on social media using #ASDAadvocacy

Additional Resources

• American Dental Political Action Committee (ADPAC)  
  
• ADA advocacy updates 
• ADEA policy and advocacy 
  
• ADEA legislative map