Together we can drive the agenda forward
We advocate for adequate and sustainable investments in biomedical research with a specific focus on the need for increased resources for dental, oral, and craniofacial research within the federal agencies. We collaborate with our partners in the dental and oral health community, and participate in various medical and science coalitions to advance our agenda.
Our Government Affairs team sets an annual federal agenda and coordinates the advocacy activities of the organization. It is the grassroots participation of our membership, however, that truly impacts policy decisions within the federal government.
All members of the dental, oral, and craniofacial research community should engage with their elected officials regularly, but at least on an annual basis, to communicate the important biomedical advances that are being made and how federal programs impact their constituents.
Annual AADOCR & FNIDCR Advocacy Day
Each spring, AADOCR brings together dental educators; researchers; students; and other patient advocates to the nation’s capital to meet directly with members of Congress. In 2023, AADOCR partnered with the Friends of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (FNIDCR) and the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) to deliver a unified message to federal policymakers about the important role dental, oral and craniofacial research play in our society. Click below to read a recap of the event.
Legislative Action Center & Briefing Materials
Take Action with AADOCR by contacting your representative and making your voice heard on important issues.
Members of the oral health community are encouraged to utilize these briefing materials in preparation for and/or during interactions with Members of Congress and their staffers.
Friends of NIDCR
The AADOCR is continuing the activities of the Friends of National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (FNIDCR) after the latter ceased operations at the end of 2015.
The Friends of NIDCR Patient Advocacy Council is comprised of non-profit organizations who work together to 1) support oral health research and NIDCR and 2) transfer oral health research from bench to bedside.
Advocacy Toolkit
While college and university faculty are in unique positions to share research and policy analyses with congressional offices, there is often confusion about which types of communication are and are not allowed under university rules.
To help faculty and staff navigate some of those rules and boundaries, AADOCR has created this toolkit to help describe certain nuances of federal advocacy and how to work most effectively with university government relations staff throughout the year.
Advocacy Updates
Stay up-to-date with the latest news in government affairs and science policy news by reading updates in the News section of the AADOCR website.
See AADOCR’s communications to Congress and government agencies championing AADOCR members and the field.
The AADOCR actively partners with coalitions and peer organizations over the course of the year to advocate for research funding and programs and to amplify the role of dental, oral, and craniofacial research as part of the broader public health and health research community.
Opportunities
This public policy fellowship provides a unique learning experience both in Washington, DC and through grassroots efforts at the Fellow’s local university or institution.
This year the AADOCR National Student Research Group (NSRG) along with the Government Affairs Committee (GAC) would like to recognize a student for outstanding contributions in advocacy for oral health research by awarding The Student Advocate of the Year Award.
Interested in taking action or learning more about advocacy efforts?
