The American Association for Dental Research (AADR), the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), and the Friends of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (FNIDCR) will meet in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, to urge Congress to support dental, oral, and craniofacial research.
The 2020 AADR, ADEA and FNIDCR Capitol Hill Day will bring together dental educators; dental, oral, and craniofacial researchers; students; patient advocates; and oral health research stakeholders to encourage policymakers to:
- Increase fiscal year 2021 funding for federal research agencies, including the National Institutes of Health and its National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
- Increase fiscal year 2021 funding for Title VII Health Professions Programs at the Health Resources and Services Administration, specifically the general, pediatric, and public health dentistry programs
Given the shared policy priorities of AADR, ADEA, and FNIDCR, the organizations say they recognize the value in partnering on this important event.
“Research supported through NIDCR grants reduces the burden of oral disease and leads to better oral health for millions of Americans, but our work is not done,” said Karen P. West, DMD, MPH, ADEA president and CEO. “We need to make it a higher priority in this country to eliminate disparities in access to dental care and to support dental professionals in their mission to do just that.”
“AADR is passionate about the impact and value of our annual Advocacy Day, and we are especially excited about the opportunities this 2020 Capitol Hill Day provides to communicate the importance of research and education in healthcare,” said AADR president Timothy Wright, DDS, MS.
“Not only is AADR once again joining forces with ADEA, an organization we are proud to work with closely throughout the year, and the patient advocate voices of FNIDCR, but this year’s event is also being held in conjunction with the 2020 IADR/AADR/CADR General Session in Washington, DC,” said Wright.
“Combined, these new elements offer the chance to engage additional advocates and amplify our message that federally funded research and oral health education make a real difference in the lives of people across the country,” said Wright.
Capitol Hill Day provides a chance for dental stakeholders to build relationships with their elected officials and discuss how federally funded dental, oral, and craniofacial research, training, and education programs directly impact their lives, whether professionally or personally, the groups report.
Further, the groups say, by conveying how these programs directly affect the oral and overall health of all Americans, the Capitol Hill Day participants have a unique opportunity to share insights and help shape the future of these vital programs.
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