By Bronwyn Barrera, MBA, ADHA Staff
December 10, 2025
Three months after their July advocacy circuit on Capitol Hill, ADHA returned to Washington D.C.—because in federal advocacy, consistency matters more than a single visit.
While in Washington, D.C., for the ADA House of Delegates meeting in late October, Dr. JoAnn Gurenlian, Director of Education, Research, and Advocacy, and Katherine Williamson, Senior Manager of Advocacy, made time for what effective advocacy requires: showing up again. The October meetings reinforced ADHA’s presence with Congressional Oral Health Caucus members and advanced key policy priorities at a particularly uncertain moment in federal politics.
Why Showing Up Again Matters
Williamson, a former Congressional staffer, understands the reality of legislative relationships. She notes that consistency and frequency are key, showing up and addressing the same issues. It signals that these aren’t passing concerns—they reflect the priorities of dental hygienists nationwide. The July trip introduced ADHA’s federal priorities. The October trip reinforced them.
ADHA’s visit came amid significant federal uncertainty. A government shutdown that began September 30 had disrupted federal healthcare programs across the country. Community health centers faced delayed grant disbursements. The CDC’s Division of Oral Health has been eliminated. Research funding at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research stalled.
For ADHA, this context made the visit more important, not less. Congressional staff were focused on immediate funding concerns, which created an opportunity to connect ADHA’s priorities to the challenges their constituents face when government funding falters.
Building on the Foundation
On October 27, ADHA met with staff from the offices of Rep. André Carson (D-IN) and Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), both members of the Congressional Oral Health Caucus.
Rep. Carson serves as a Senior Whip for the House Democratic Caucus. His staffer was particularly engaged when the conversation turned to Medicaid dental benefits and dental deserts in Indiana—areas where Rep. Carson’s constituents face real access gaps. The conversation also covered ADHA’s proposed fluoride resolution, and the office indicated openness to supporting community water fluoridation legislation.
Rep. Meng sits on the House Appropriations Committee, giving her significant influence over federal healthcare funding. Her staffer highlighted the Congresswoman’s strong record on oral health legislation and noted the office was aware of rhetoric surrounding community water fluoridation from certain administration officials. Rep. Meng had previously cosponsored oral health legislation, and her office indicated openness to potentially introducing ADHA’s community water fluoridation resolution language.
Both offices acknowledged the legislative process would move slowly given the shutdown. But both also committed to remaining resources for ADHA’s advocacy efforts going forward.
Senate Progress
ADHA’s federal advocacy partner, Lobbyit, engaged with Sen. Angela Alsobrooks’ (D-MD) office on October 16 to discuss the community water fluoridation resolution and potential timing for introduction.
“Giving this resolution the green light would mean the U.S. Senate or the U.S. House as a whole agrees to this statement that community water fluoridation supports public health,” said Williamson.
Sen. Alsobrooks has demonstrated her commitment to oral health policy. In June, she introduced the Medicare and Medicaid Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act (S. 2084), which would expand coverage to include dental, vision, and hearing services. This legislative leadership makes her office a natural ally for ADHA’s priorities.
Policy Priorities
ADHA’s October meetings focused on three core issues.
Community water fluoridation: ADHA shared its proposed fluoride resolution language with Oral Health Caucus members. With public health messaging around fluoride facing new challenges, having Congressional champions for evidence-based policy matters more than ever.
Medicaid dental benefits: ADHA emphasized the importance of maintaining dental benefits for both children and adults. Adult dental coverage remains optional under Medicaid, leaving millions without access to preventive care.
Government funding and access to care: ADHA urged Congress to resolve the funding impasse and protect federal programs that support oral health access for vulnerable populations.
In the Long Game
“We want to be known as content experts for our representatives,” Dr. Gurenlian explained, “so that we’re a go-to group that they can get more information from.” That positioning doesn’t happen in a single visit. It requires consistent presence and follow-through.
The October meetings followed the same approach that defined the July trip: understanding what matters to each legislative office and showing how ADHA’s priorities align with theirs. With Rep. Carson’s office, that meant connecting Medicaid benefits to the realities of dental deserts in Indiana. With Rep. Meng’s office, it meant recognizing her Appropriations Committee role and existing oral health record. With Sen. Alsobrooks’ office, it meant building on her demonstrated commitment to expanding healthcare coverage.
This is what sustained federal advocacy looks like — not a single dramatic visit, but repeated engagement that builds trust and positions ADHA as a resource legislators turn to when oral health questions arise.
Supporting the Work
Sustained federal advocacy requires resources. ADHA’s team is currently two people managing federal priorities while simultaneously supporting states facing OPA legislation in Kentucky, Oklahoma, Missouri, Nevada, and more next year. “There’s truly so much support needed,” Williamson acknowledged.
What could ADHA accomplish with stronger advocacy funding? More staff to expand federal presence. More frequent follow-up with Congressional offices. Support for state lobbyists facing legislative battles. A lobby day that brings dental hygienists to Washington to meet their own representatives. The capacity to respond quickly when oral health issues arise on Capitol Hill.
If every dental hygienist contributed even just a small amount, ADHA would have enough to significantly expand its federal and state presence. Contributions of any amount strengthen ADHA’s ability to engage with policymakers and protect the profession.
What’s Next
With the government re-opened, ADHA’s federal priorities include advancing the fluoride resolution and protecting oral health benefits for adults on Medicaid. Beyond that, the team is working toward a lobby day that would bring dental hygienists from across the country to meet with their own representatives.
Williamson, drawing on her Hill experience, emphasized why constituent engagement matters: “Truth be told, representatives and senators—they care if you’re going to give them money or vote for them. So if you’re that constituent, you matter.” Getting 20 or 30 dental hygienists to meet with their own senators and representatives as ADHA members would amplify the association’s voice in ways that staff visits alone cannot.
ADHA is building a sustained federal presence, one meeting at a time. That work is more effective when members understand what their association is doing in Washington—and add their voices to the effort. Stay informed through the Advocacy in Action newsletter, participate in Voter Voice campaigns when they launch, and watch for lobby day opportunities.
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Bronwyn Barrera, MBA is the director of the ADHA’s Marketing & Communications Department. She may be reached at [email protected].
