Pediatric dentistry residents visit Washington, DC for oral advocacy conference

Making the rounds on Capitol Hill might seem like an activity reserved only for professional lobbyists. But a recent session of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's Pediatric Oral Health Advocacy Conference (POHAC) in Washington, DC gave members an opportunity to meet with legislators on children’s oral health issues, including the HRSA Pediatric Dentistry training program, the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA), and the restoration of critical federal oral health infrastructure.

Six pediatric residents from the University were part of the group of nearly 400 nationwide who were there to advocate for children’s oral health. “Resident involvement in this event is not new,” said Jeff Karp, DMD, MS, director of the pediatric dentistry residency program and Interim Director of the Division of Pediatric Dentistry. “Our residents have participated since 2015.”

The visits are an important way to introduce residents to American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) advocacy at the federal level, Karp said. “They’ve previously brought about legislative support for pediatric oral health initiatives, including faculty loan repayment.” This year’s event was the largest POHAC in history, with nearly 400 pediatric dental residents, pediatric dental faculty and public policy advocates in attendance.

Yasufumi Yamazaki, DDS, who is graduating this year from the pediatric dentistry residency program, said, “It was quite meaningful to be able to see ‘another side’ to pediatric dentistry, and I appreciate the encouragement we residents received to get involved and meet representatives from different states.” For Yamazaki, it was also an opportunity to connect with those who will be part of his local network of colleagues. “I was able to meet representatives from the Kansas and Missouri region, where I will be working in the future. We had a great conversation over dinner.”

“It means a lot that the University prioritizes this experience for residents, said Andrew Medlin, DDS, who will graduate from the pediatric dentistry residency program this year. “Without this experience, I don't know how many pediatric dentists would get involved at the national level.”

Yamazaki and Medline encouraged future residents to take part. “It was amazing to see such a large group of people from all 50 states come together with an energy and commitment dedicated to helping the lives of every child in our nation,” Medlin said.

Both mentioned the bigger picture represented by this opportunity. “Taking care of kids’ oral health early on really sets the stage for a lifetime of good habits and preventive care,” Yamazaki said. “When children are introduced to a dental home from a young age, it often leads to more effective treatment and can help keep dental care simpler and more affordable over time.”

Medlin agreed, adding, “It was a true honor to visit such historic spaces, representing the patients and families we serve. As pediatric dentists, we’ve dedicated our lives to helping the life of every child in our nation.”