Building Bridges for Dentistry: My Experience at ADA Dentist and Student Lobby Day 

By Dr. Ammon Anderson

From Saturday, March  26 through Tuesday, April 1, I had the privilege of attending the American Dental Association’s 2025 Dentist and Student Lobby Day in Washington, D.C. Hosted at the Marriott Marquis, the event brought together over a thousand dentists and dental students united in advocacy for oral health policy and the future of our profession. 

The weekend began with opportunities to connect with peers and colleagues from across the country—an energizing reminder of the strength and diversity within dentistry. I took full advantage of the ADA’s preparatory lectures, which offered practical guidance on how to effectively lobby legislators, as well as in-depth briefings on the top policy issues of the year. From the DOC Access Act to student loan reform and community water fluoridation, I left feeling informed, confident, and ready to advocate. 

One of the most impactful parts of the experience was meeting with my state’s core coalition. We coordinated a plan of attack for our Capitol Hill meetings, mapping out our schedule and identifying key talking points tailored to our senators and representatives. I also had the opportunity to meet and mentor dental students—an inspiring group whose passion reminded me why events like this matter. 

A highlight of the trip was a one-on-one conversation with Iowa Representative Randy Feenstra and his top liaison. During our 15-minute meeting, we discussed our profession’s legislative priorities and laid the groundwork for an ongoing relationship that I hope will support local efforts like the Iowa Mission of Mercy and dental plan reform back home. 

Events like Lobby Day underscore why supporting ADPAC is critical. As ADA’s bipartisan political action committee, ADPAC ensures our voices are heard where it counts—on Capitol Hill. Whether it’s by contributing financially or showing up in person, our involvement shapes the future of dental policy. 

In the end, this experience wasn’t just about federal advocacy, it was about bringing those lessons home and continuing to strengthen dentistry at the state level. I’m grateful to the ADA for organizing such a powerful event, and I’m looking forward to putting what I learned into action.