The resources below demonstrate how the Academy is actively working to fulfill its core value of advocating on behalf of the specialty:
The ODC (Organized Dentistry Coalition) is a coalition of dentist (only) organizations, formed to help lobby a variety of issues facing dentists as providers/businesspersons. It was created in January 2008 so that the dental profession could speak with one voice from a business perspective.
2025
- CMS CDO Coalition Support Letter
- Seeking clarity on the Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers and guidance on H-1B visa fee
- Docket No. ED-2025-OPE-0016—2025 Negotiated Rulemaking; William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program
- Letter ODC Supporting Model Act Sunset Amendments Final 9-17-25
- Coalition comments to Dept of Ed re ED-2025-OPE-0151
- ODC Letter – Protect Our TEETH ACT
- Letter to HELP leaders re student loan reconciliation provisions
- ODC Letter to DoD June 2025
- Letter to Senate Leadership, PTET (F)
- Letter to Leadership, PTET
- ODC letter regarding ELSA sponsors
- Letter Rejecting Proposed HHS Cuts
- Community Water Fluoridation Sign-On Letter 4-15-2025
- DFLRP Letter of Support (2025) House
- Physician-dentist coalition letter to REDI Act sponsors
- CDO CMS Support Letter
- Press Release: Babin, Houlahan Reintroduce Bipartisan REDI Act to Address Doctor Shortage and Strengthen U.S. Health Care
- H.R. 1521, the Dental and Optometric Care (DOC) Access Act
- Re-introduction of the REDI Act
- Dental Organizations’ Response to the Interested Parties’ Process on Specialty Advertising
- Food & Water Watch v. EPA, Case No. 17-CV-02162-EMC
- Opposition to OSDB’s Proposed Revisions to Specialty Advertising Laws
2024
- Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024
- NIH-Reform Framework Comment Letter- Dental Community Sign-on
- Opposition to B25-0632, the Dental Specialties Licensure and Scope of Practice Amendment Act
- Dental Faculty Loan Repayment Program
- ERISA – Federal Preemption Amicus Brief
- Opposition to Proposed Revisions to Specialty Advertising Laws in Ohio
2023
- ODC Comment Letter: Medicaid Managed Care Proposed Rule CHIP
- ODC Comment Letter: Medicaid Equal Access Proposed Rule
- Workforce Interest Letter
- Press Release: Dental Loan Repayment Assistance Act
- ODC Letter to HELP Leaders Re REDI Act
- ODC Senate Thank You DOC Access Act 2023
- ODC Letter on the SMILED Act
- ODC Response to RFI on Health Care Workforce Shortages
- Physician Dentist Coalition Letter to Senate REDI Act Sponsors
- Physician Dentist Coalition Letter to House REDI Act Sponsors
- Cárdenas Press Release – Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act
2022
- Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act Letter to Senate Committee
- REDI Act Letter to Committee Leaders
- Student Loan Reform Letter to House Ed and Labor
- Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act of 2022
- Oral Health Literacy and Awareness ODC Support
- Letter Opposing USICA Section 2527(b)
- Coalition Letter Medicaid Adult Dental Bill
- Physician dentist coalition letter to Senate REDI Act sponsors
2021
- ODC Letter of Support – Oral Health Literacy – HR4555 – 117
- Pathway to Practice Training Programs_ODC Request
- Dental Coalition Letter RE Part B Issues Dental Expansion
- ODC Letter RECRUIT Act – House
- ODC Letter RECRUIT Act – Senate
- ODC Letter Urging House Ways and Means Committee Support for HR 1285
- ODC Letter Urging Senate Finance Committee Support for S 449
- ODC POST Grad Act Letter
- ODC PREVENT HPV Cancers Letter
- ODC DOC Access thank you 117th House
- ODC DOC Access thank you 117th Senate
- ODC Letter – Foster Youth Dental Act – 117
- Physician dentist coalition thank you letter to REDI Act sponsors
- Press Release – Cárdenas, Bilirakis Reintroduce Bipartisan Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act
- Press Release- REDI Act, Reps. Babin and Houlahan
Below is a list of current AAP members who represent periodontology in other organizations.
National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards
- Donald Clem III, AAP Representative: 2021-2025
American Dental Association (ADA)
ADA Commissions
- Wayne Aldredge, National Commission Appeals Board
- Cataldo Leona, Commission on Dental Accreditation
- Frank Licari, Commission on Dental Accreditation
- Peter Loomer, Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations
- Paul Luepke, Commission on Dental Accreditation
- Arif Salman, Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition
ADA Councils
- Paula Crum, Council on Dental Accredication
- Stephanie Ganter, Council on Members Insurance and Retirement Programs
- William Giannobil, Council on Scientific Affairs
- R. Pierce Osborne, Council on Ethics, Bylaws, and Judicial Affairs
- Muhamm Saleh, Council on Scientific Affairs
- Arif Salman, Council on Scientific Affairs
- Adam Saltz, Council on New Membership/New Dentist Committee
- Mark Wolff, Council on Dental Education and Licensure
ADA House of Delegates
- Currently there are over 30 AAP members who are Delegates and Alternates for the ADA.
American Dental Political Action Committee (ADPAC)
- Giorgio DiVincenzo, ADPAC (Chair-Elect)
- Michael Breault, ADPAC (2024)
- Matthew Neary, ADPAC (2024)
Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
- Maxine Feinberg (2024)
Review Committee on Periodontics Education
- James Katancik, Commissioner (2022)
- Paul Luepke (2023)
- Angela Palaiologou-Gallis (2024)
- Georgia Johnson (2022)
2022 Commissioner Trainees (Term 2023-2026)
- Paul Luepke (2026)
2022 Appeal Board
- Timothy Walsh (2023)
American Dental Education Association (ADEA): Section on Periodontics
- Sangeetha Chandrasefaran, Chair
- Kai-Chiao (Joe) Chang, Chair-elect
- Jessica Owens, Councilor
- Anuja Doshi, Secretary
AAP’s Insurance Consultant
The AAP’s Insurance Consultant, Marie Schweinebraten, is a Life Active member and represents the AAP on the following committees until 2024.
- Code Maintenance Committee
- Standard Committee on Dental Informatics (SCDI)
- SNODENT
- Dental Quality Alliance
The American Dental Political Action Committee is the nonpartisan dental professional political action committee (PAC) working to support and elect pro-dental candidates. Learn more about current issues and how you can be involved here.
Staff Contact Information
For more information on how you can get involved with furthering advocacy at the Academy please contact the AAP staff.
Steven Aspacher, Senior Manager, Member Programs and Communications – [email protected]
