b'YOUR ACADEMY AT WORKAdvocating for PerioPeriospectives asked AAP member and educator Dr. Vera Tang to share her thoughts on what advocating for perio means to her. Advocacy in dentistry encompasses a range of activities aimed at promoting the interests and well-being of the dental profession, improving oral health care policies, and ensuring access to quality dental care for the public. As a dentist and educator, I believe advocacy plays a significant role in shaping our profession. Vera W L Tang, DDS, MSAs dentists, we advocate for patient care, from ensuring that oral health and AAP Member since 2000 access to care is integrated into overall health care policies, to ensuring fair insurance reimbursement that values our dental services.As educators, not only are we advocating for research that contributes to the advancement of dental knowledge and practices, but policies that support the future of dentistry like student loan assistance and fair licensing processes to ensure a strong and capable future dental workforce.In summary, advocacy in dentistry is about actively working to shape policies, promote professional interests, and improve the overall oral health landscape. As a dentist, periodontist, educator, participant and your board representative to the ADA political action committee (ADPAC), your engagement in advocacy can contribute to advocacy positive changes in the dental profession and the well-being of your patients.State and Regional UpdatesSupporting ADPAC is key to influencing legislation that affects dental practices, reimbursement rates, and overall oral health policies. Building relationships through political engagement with policymakers and contributing to campaigns that prioritize oral health is important. More than 1,500 dentists and students will be going to Washington DC on April 7-9, 2024, for ADA Dentist and Student Lobby Day. For more information, visit www.ada.org/ADPAC or email Dr. Tang atvera.tang@nyu.edu16'