Alabama General Dentist Testifies Before U.S. Senate Committee

AGD member and Alabama general dentist Gordon R. Isbell III, DMD, MAGD, testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on May 16 and discussed access to and issues facing the delivery of oral healthcare in the United States. Isbell’s testimony came just before AGD hosts members from across the country on Capitol Hill during its annual Hill Day, May 20–21.

"Research continues to highlight the importance of dental care to overall well-being but also shows the inequities in access to dental care," said Isbell to the committee. "AGD is committed to addressing these inequities by leveraging the abilities of private practice general dentists. I recognize that the committee has a broad jurisdiction, with many important issues to focus on, and so I applaud you for your focus on oral healthcare. However, let me be clear, we must ensure that the private practice of dentistry is protected and that, in our efforts to find solutions to common problems, we do not diminish the care we provide, make it harder to enter into and survive in private dental practice, or dilute the level of services that only fully trained and licensed dentists can and should provide." (Read the full testimony.)

During his testimony, Isbell also addressed the need to ensure access to dental healthcare and strengthen the private practice of dentistry. His testimony highlighted the connection between oral and systemic health. He explained that AGD is prepared to collaborate on ways to bring awareness to the many challenges facing dentistry, dental patients and oral health overall.

AGD’s Hill Day, May 20–21, is an annual event and part of the organization’s year-round outreach efforts to help lawmakers and regulators understand how major decisions impact oral healthcare. The face-to-face meetings on Capitol Hill allow general dentists to share their personal stories and expert insights and create valuable connections with those who make the nation’s laws. This year, during the event, AGD will recognize and honor Representatives Lori Trahan (MA), Earl “Buddy” Carter (GA) and Senator Susan Collins (ME) for championing changes to the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act that would expand the list of CE providers to include organizations like AGD. 

This year, AGD leaders will be addressing four priority areas of importance that AGD is encouraging Congress to act on, including:

• Supporting increased workforce in dentistry (Action for Dental Health Act).
• Promoting equitable relationships between dentists and insurers (Dental and Optometric Care Access Act).
• Including AGD as an approved provider of opioid training under the MATE Act.
• Promoting oral health literacy (Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act).

Isbell is a practicing general dentist from Gadsden, Alabama, with over 43 years of experience. He and his son, Ross Isbell, DMD, MAGD, have two practices with over 20 employees. He has spent considerable time advocating on behalf of oral healthcare and working with legislators and regulators at the local and national levels. In addition, he has held numerous leadership positions with AGD and the American Dental Association (ADA). In 2023, he received AGD’s Dr. Mark S. Ritz Advocate for Dentistry Award, and he previously received AGD’s Distinguished Service Award. Isbell has also been active with the ADA, including serving as co-chair from 2012 to 2014 of the ADA’s American Dental Political Action Committee (ADPAC). In 2015, he received the ADPAC’s Jack Wilson Award for Advocacy.