The landscape for oral health research is currently facing unprecedented threats from the Administration and Congress. Deep funding cuts, workforce reductions and a potential restructuring of the NIH could cripple the very research that holds the key to preventing disease, improving treatments, and ensuring the oral health of millions. This is a rapidly approaching crisis that demands our members’ immediate attention and action.
We need to educate policymakers about the catastrophic impact funding cuts and cancelation of NIH/NIDCR grants will have on the future of oral health as well as local economies. Emails and calls from the scientific community describing how research is being affected will make a difference!
Below are instructions for contacting your federal elected officials. The first step is knowing who represents you in Congress. You can search by address to identify the names of your two U.S. senators and one U.S. representative. This directory lists the websites and telephone numbers for all members of Congress.
Email
To send an email to your member of Congress, visit their website and find the form that allows constituents to contact their office.
Next, craft your letter using the talking points provided below. Remember, the most effective way to communicate with your members of Congress is through a personalized message that clearly identifies who you are and what you are requesting
Tips for writing to your member of Congress:
- Your message should be short, clear and to the point. Remember, congressional staff generally receive hundreds of messages each day.
- Identify yourself. Provide your contact information, including your name, street address, email address, and phone number.
- Focus on legislative policies and your direct experience rather than political commentary.
- Emphasize the specialized knowledge you have as a context for your message and to demonstrate credibility. However, avoid technical language or scientific jargon.
- If applicable, add information specific to your state or congressional district, such as NIH/NIDCR grants at your university or lab.
Telephone Calls
A quick way to share your views with your elected officials is by calling their office. You can find your legislators’ phone numbers using the congressional directory, visiting their website, or by calling the switchboard numbers for the House (202-225-3121) and Senate (202-224-3121) and asking them to patch you through to your legislator.
Next, call your legislator’s Washington D.C. office, identify yourself as a constituent, and ask to share your views on healthcare policy. Be specific about what position or action you’d like your member of Congress to take on the issue or legislation you are calling about. Remember to always be polite, professional and courteous.
Social Media
Posting a message on your legislators’ social media accounts is another effective method of registering your views, especially on rapidly developing policy issues. Congressional staff are increasingly monitoring Facebook, X, LinkedIn and other social media platforms for messages from constituents.
Follow your elected officials accounts, post a message on their page, or tag them in a post on your own page. To find their accounts, visit their website, and click on the social media icons at the bottom of the page. The U.S. House also maintains a list of all representatives’ official X handles. Be sure to use our hashtags so we can track the impact of our members’ online advocacy: #FundOralHealth #AADOCR
Please also follow AADOCR on social media through the platform links at the bottom of this page for updates on important policy issues.
