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. The American Dental Association has a grass roots program to work with Congress, and if the need arises, CDA and your local dental society can assist you in dealing with your local officials on dental-related issues.
You are represented by one Assembly member and one Senator. It is determined by where you live and vote. Contact PUBLIC POLICY if you need assistance determining who your representatives are.
When you become involved in grass roots politics, here are some of the activities you can do:
Introduce yourself to your local legislators and establish an ongoing dialogue and friendship with them.
- Become active in local civic and community organizations.
- Seek a position on your local dental society’s legislative committee.
- Become a “key contact” for one of your state legislators.
- Respond to requests for action from CDA-PUBLIC POLICY regarding pending legislative issues (writing letters and making telephone calls).
- Forward copies of newspaper articles of political and legislative interest to CDA-PUBLIC POLICY.