Policy & Advocacy
Empowering Communities to Advance Oral Health
AIDPH empowers communities to advance oral health through science, education, and advocacy. Many communities, including our four core communities of focus, cannot effectively access comprehensive healthcare due to social, political, and environmental determinants of health. These inequities drive pervasive oral health disparities. As we pursue our vision of a justice-oriented oral health system, we recognize the inherent need to advance solutions that improve accessible, high-quality, holistic, and affordable healthcare for all people. To this end, AIDPH uses guiding value statements to define our advocacy priorities and determine pathways toward solutions.
Veterans
We advocate for policies and interventions that ensure veterans have comprehensive, barrier-free access to high-quality oral health care. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by veterans, we support initiatives that address their specific oral health needs, promote mental health, and facilitate their reintegration into civilian life. We support policies and interventions that prioritize holistic, integrated care that address chronic disease conditions, social determinants, and mental health considerations.
LGBTQIA+
We champion inclusive oral health policies that respect and affirm the identities and experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals. Our support extends to policies that eliminate disparities, enhance access to culturally affirming care, and protect against discrimination in healthcare settings.
Rural Communities
We advocate for increased resources, infrastructure development, and workforce solutions that ensure rural communities have equal access to preventive and comprehensive oral health services. We support workforce development that brings healthcare providers into rural settings to practice.
People with Disabilities
We support the development and implementation of policies that provide people with disabilities with accessible, affordable, accommodating, and patient-centered oral health care. Our focus is on promoting autonomy, reducing barriers to care, and ensuring equity in oral health outcomes.
Medicaid and Medicare
Workforce Development
We advocate for policies that support the growth and diversification of the oral health workforce. This includes investing in justice-oriented education and training programs, supporting pathways for underrepresented groups in the dental profession, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to expand care delivery models. We believe that oral health professionals should be working in safe and healthy conditions and in an environment where their skills and expertise are respected through fair financial compensation. Clinicians should be practicing at the top of their scope and skill set in an innovative care delivery system.
Preventive Care and Public Health Infrastructure
We champion the expansion of preventive and community-based oral health programs that address the social determinants of health. Our support extends to policies that strengthen the public health infrastructure, promote evidence-based practices, and encourage community engagement in oral health initiatives.
Research and Innovation
We advocate for increased funding for oral health research that addresses disparities and advances innovative solutions for care delivery. Our focus is on supporting research that informs policy, improves access and quality of care, and fosters the development of new technologies and treatments.
Equity and Access
We are dedicated to advancing policies that promote equity and access to oral health care for all, especially minoritized, underserved, oppressed, and historically excluded communities. Our efforts focus on eliminating systemic barriers to care, including economic, geographic, and cultural factors.
Integrated and Value-Based Care
We advocate for the integration of oral health into the broader healthcare system, promoting policies that facilitate a holistic, value-based care approach. We support initiatives that foster collaboration among healthcare providers across disciplines, ensuring oral health is considered an essential component of overall health and well-being. Our commitment is to advance models of care that prioritize patient outcomes, emphasize preventive and comprehensive care, and strive for equity in access and treatment. We believe in incentivizing quality care that is equitable, efficient, and patient-centered, reducing disparities and improving health outcomes for all communities, especially those we serve: rural, veterans, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Advocacy Tools & Resources
- Sign-on letters
- Advocacy one-pager
- Veteran Oral Health Hill Day
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