In late July AGD exhibited at the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Annual Meeting in Denver. ALEC brings together legislators from around the country who support free markets, limited government and federalism. An August AGD exhibited at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Annual Meeting in Louisville. NCSL is the largest bipartisan organization for legislators and staff in the country. At NCSL AGD’s booth was next to the ADA’s and AAPD’s booths in “dental row.” AGD staff and volunteer leadership handed out travel toothbrushes and spoke with key legislators, like the Connecticut Deputy House Speaker who is sponsoring the dental loss ratio bill in Connecticut. 
 
Impact on General Dentistry: Exhibiting at these meetings allows AGD a chance to speak with legislators from coast-to-coast about the issues affecting general dentistry such as workforce shortages, insurance company issues like requiring payment with virtual credit cards, and down-coding and bundling, and mid-level dental providers. These interactions help raise AGD’s profile in the state legislatures and improve AGD’s advocacy efforts in the state capitols.