Senate Committee on Finance Subcommittee on Health Prioritizes Oral Health

  • by AGD Washington Advocacy Representative
  • Apr 19, 2023
On March 29, 2023, the Senate Committee on Finance’s Subcommittee on Health held a hearing entitled, An Oral Health Crisis: Identifying and Addressing Health Disparities. The hearing examined disparities in accessing oral health care and recommendations to address them. Witnesses shared examples and research on disparities in oral health outcomes; recommendations to address issues related to access to dental health care; and the importance of improving oral health literacy and supporting the dental workforce. Members focused their questions and comments on recommendations to expand access to oral health care and challenges the industry may face in employing them.

Impact on General Dentistry: Dr. Hans Guter, AGD’s President, was interviewed by the Senate Finance Committee as a potential witness. Additionally, the AGD submitted a Statement for the Record outlining key priorities and concerns of general dentists. This was a great opportunity for the AGD to advocate on behalf of its mission to promote and advance oral health for all by advocating for improved oral health literacy and a regulatory environment that supports general dentists’ practice of primary oral health care.