The Illinois AGD works with the Illinois State Dental Society to keep our profession strong and effective in Illinois. The Illinois AGD has a seat on the Dent-IL-PAC Board. DENT-IL-PAC, the political action committee of the Illinois State Dental Society, allows dentists to collectively contribute to the campaigns of candidates it supports. Consequently, when acting as a group, individual dentists have significant impact on the political process. DENT-IL-PAC is non-profit and bi-partisan, with the goal of influencing the political process for the good of dentistry and patients. A Board of Directors oversees DENT-IL-PAC’s activities.
State and federal governments are a constant, sometimes intrusive presence in the dental office. With issues such as unsupervised practice by hygienists, patient protection, amalgam waste disposal, HIPAA regulations, and excessive state and federal regulations, we need lawmakers in the Illinois General Assembly and U.S. Congress who understand dentistry and oral health care. DENT-IL-PAC and ADPAC (the American Dental Association’s political action committee) are dentistry’s best hope of electing these individuals.
In addition to making political contributions, DENT-IL-PAC maintains a statewide contact dentist system so that every politician in the state has a personal friend in dentistry. DENT-IL-PAC hosts legislative receptions and legislative contact days, furthering the relationship between legislators and dentists.
The best way to keep the profession of dentistry strong and effective is to speak with one voice. Being an active member in the Illinois State Dental Society’s political action committee, DENT-IL-PAC, Governor’s Club or President’s Club, will help the ISDS achieve this goal.
Click here if you are an ISDS member to learn about current legislation in Illinois.