Become a Key Contact
What You Can Do for Your Profession
Dentistry is one of many legislated professions. Government not only affects you personally, but it also affects how you practice dentistry and how you operate as a small businessperson.
CDA Political Action Network
The California Dental Association represents over 23,000 dentists throughout California. CDA provides legislative advocacy and political action, but cannot be successful without the help of dentists in every part of California.
How to Get Started
Your dental practice can be affected by the actions of Congress, your State Legislature, city councils, and county boards of supervisors. This handbook focuses on working with your members of California’s Assembly and Senate.
What Is the Next Step
Become politically active with elected officials and candidates on behalf of dentistry.
Become a Legislative Chair
The President of your local dental society appoints component legislative chairs. See the responsibilities of a local chair.
Do I Have Time For All of This
Becoming a member of CDA’s political action team should not and will not monopolize your time. You have a practice, patients, and family that come first.
What is Grass Roots Politics
A program designed to influence policy-makers through the mobilization of local community support (or opposition), is commonly known as “grass roots politics.”
How Does Grass Roots Really Work
Every year, CDA’s Council on Legislation develops a legislative program, taking positions on bills, perhaps sponsoring bills, and developing strategy.
Political Involvement
In an era of term limits, many new legislators are elected every other year. Long-term relationships with legislators are a thing of the past.
Hosting a Fundraiser
There is no more effective way to cement a good relationship with a lawmaker than to participate in his or her election or reelection campaign.