Faculty, students participate in TDA Legislative Day

Dean John A. Valenza, DDS ’81 (left); Ralph A. Cooley, DDS, assistant dean for assistant dean for admissions and student services; and alumnus R. Lee Clitheroe, DDS, ’85, at TDA Legislative Day 2023 in Austin.

UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry faculty, students, and alumni at the Texas Capitol for TDA Legislative Day 2023. — UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry faculty, students, and alumni at the Texas Capitol for 2023 TDA Legislative Day 2023.

UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry faculty and students joined the Texas Dental Association on Feb. 15 for TDA Legislative Day 2023 in Austin.

Over 100 dentists and dental students met at the Texas Capitol. Together, they met with legislators to help them understand the challenges facing dentistry and how legislation could impact its practice. The grassroots effort plays a key role in the success of TDA’s legislative agenda in addressing problems faced by Texas’ dentists and patients.

TDA Legislative Day is also an opportunity for dentists and students to be political advocates for organized dentistry.

Thousands of bills are filed each session, and important issues like dental insurance reform, access to care, student loan relief, Medicaid funding, and scope of practice are among the areas TDA would like addressed.

TDA Legislative Day began with breakfast at Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel. Following addresses from TDA leaders and elected officials, the TDA legislative team provided and overview of each issue on its legislative agenda along with talking points and helpful tips.

School of Dentistry faculty and staff joined other attendees in a walk over to the Texas Capitol, where participants, assigned to groups, held meetings with elected officials and/or members of their staff.