2.  The Legislative Grassroots Network (LGN) is responsible for the legislative and advocacy efforts of the association  National and local level leaders work to inform legislators about issues important to dental students, and those issues that will affect your profession and patients

3.  We are your resource for everything related to legislative activities  Meet and Greets, Lobby Days, Legislative Lunch and Learns  The LGN helps plan and organize National Dental Student Lobby Day

4.  Some of the most important issues related to dentistry are regulated and legislated upon at the state level  Mid-level provider models  The LGN has been working with chapters to increase student involvement at the state level

5.  State associations are involved in lobbying efforts, and often host state Lobby Days  State political action committees (PACs) need members like ADPAC does  Contact your state association to see how students at your school can get involved

6.  Annual event held in Washington, DC  Co-sponsored by American Dental Education Association (ADEA)  The LGN helps in the planning process  Issues we lobby are agreed upon and supported by both ASDA and ADEA to benefit the dental community

7.  Lobby Day attendance has grown every year  ADEA held the first Lobby Day in 1998, with 26 dental students from 5 dental schools representing 12 states and DC participated  In 2010, we had a record number of attendees register for the event (361!) before Snowmaggedon

8.  The actions of Congress now affect our future profession  It is important to make a difference by having our voice heard  There are serious consequences if we don’t try to actively influence Congress and state legislatures  Organized dentistry starts here, as students

9.  Day One:  Learn about the issues  Details on how Congress works and how to lobby your legislators (and time to practice)  Day Two:  Photo at the Capitol  Go to your scheduled appointments with members of Congress and lobby them about the agreed upon issues

10.  Student Loan Interest Deduction (SLID), Loan Consolidation, Refinancing, and Repayment Programs  Funding for National Health Service Corps and National Institutes of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)  Meth Mouth Prevention and Community Recovery Act

11.  Monday, March 28 & Tuesday, March 29  Capitol Hilton Hotel  Registration information will be sent out in November  This is how you start building your relationships with your elected officials before you begin dental practice

12.  You must attend the Monday training session  Take a lot of pictures  But ask first if you would like one with a member of Congress!  Have a good time and see the sights when there is free time

13.  Read The Legislative Ledger, a monthly e-newsletter sent to all ASDA members, for legislative updates  Dental students are eligible for free ADEA membership – go to www.adea.org for information and to subscribe to the ADEA Washington Update and ADEA State Issues Updatewww.adea.org