The California Dental Association (CDA) hosted its annual Grassroots Advocacy Day in Sacramento on June 2, bringing together dentists and dental students from across the state to advocate for key legislative priorities including dental insurance reform, workforce shortages, and the protection of critical public health programs.
The Santa Clara County Dental Society was proudly represented by Dr. Preethi Bangalore, Dr. Tiffany Hsu, Dr. Disha Thakkar, and Dr. Bharathi Gorthi, who met directly with legislators and staff to share firsthand perspectives from clinical practice and advocate for policies impacting both providers and patients.
This year’s Advocacy Day coincided with California’s election day, creating a unique atmosphere at the Capitol. According to Dr. Tiffany Hsu, the usually fast-paced environment allowed for more meaningful conversations with legislative staff, who took the time to thoughtfully engage on issues affecting dentistry. Among the key pieces of legislation discussed was AB 1629, the Assignment of Benefits bill, aimed at reducing financial barriers and improving patient access to out-of-network dental care.
Dr. Disha Thakkar reflected on the importance of bringing real-world clinical experiences into legislative conversations, particularly as a provider serving a large Medi-Cal patient population. SCCDS representatives met with Senator Dave Cortese and legislative staff to discuss healthcare access challenges facing children, older adults, and medically complex patients throughout California.
Advocacy Day served as a powerful reminder that the voices of practicing dentists play a critical role in shaping healthcare policy and protecting access to oral healthcare for the communities we serve.
Did you know Advocacy Day is an annual event?
Interested in joining next year or starting now with the SCCDS Legislative Committee? Reach out to ShadiK@sccds.org.