Government Affairs


The Arkansas State Dental Association is a leader in the health care community with an effective outreach to ensure that its members have a collective and influential voice in state government. ASDA’s grassroots efforts have championed many political issues for its members, including issues related to water supply fluoridation, insurance coverage and scope of practice. The ASDA maintains constant vigilance to defeat harmful legislation and regulation, while working toward solutions to problems related to Medicaid, low-income access, auxiliary education and insurance reform.


ASDA applies the following core values, within the existing political climate of the legislature, to determine its advocacy strategy:


  1. QUALITY: Ensure that the best and highest level of dentistry is provided in a clinically-appropriate setting by a team of trained professional led by the dentist.

  2. ACCESS: Belief that all Arkansans are entitled to the same quality of dental care regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographic location.

  3. PREVENTION: Belief that it is far better to prevent disease rather than treat disease.


Helpful Links:

Arkansas State Legislature - Find information on elected officials and track bills through the legislative process

June 27, 2023
Reprinted from ADA Morning Huddle, June 26, 2023: The closure of a dental clinic in Albany, N.Y., that serves people with Medicaid places additional pressure on federally qualified health centers …
April 6, 2023
A new bill expected to pass Congress today references the No Surprises Act, which requires medical providers to provide “a good faith estimate of expected charges” before treating uninsured and …
April 6, 2023
The omnibus spending bill approved by Congress at the end of 2022 includes the Medication Access and Training Expansion Act, which requires dentists and other providers who prescribe controlled substances (Schedules …
September 28, 2022
As reported earlier, the Arkansas State Dental Association has begun negotiations with the Arkansas department of human services for a significant fee increase for Medicaid providers. The last published increase …
March 7, 2022
ASDA among groups seeking more COVID-19 aid for health care Republished from ADA Morning Huddle, February 28, 2022: Representatives of state health organizations in Arkansas, including the Arkansas State Dental …