Tooth Talk

Latest Episodes:

#58 Biting Into Policy: Dental Advocacy, Fluoride Fights & Basset Hounds Jun 16, 2025

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Curious how dentistry shapes national policy? Join Peter, Sarah, and special guest Dr. Steve Brown as they dive into dental advocacy, fluoride debates, convention insights, and how legislation like the "Big Beautiful Bill" impacts practices. Learn how you can take action to protect your profession and patients—plus, hear a few laughs about pig suits and Basset hounds along the way!

With special guest:

Dr. Steve Brown

#57 Student Debt and Workforce Oct 02, 2023

Show notes

Do you know how student loan reform is affecting dentistry and the oral health workforce? ADA advocates are working on several bills to address workforce shortages and student loan reform, like debt cancellation, refinancing, and interest deferments. Congressional Lobbyist Megan Mortimer and the New Dentist Committee's Dr. Sean Aiken, talk about how these programs are impacting the decisions of students and new dentists, and what the future of student loan reform looks like. Tune in to Tooth Talk and join the conversation!

With special guests:

Dr. Sean Aiken, New Dentist Committee and Megan Mortimer, ADA Congressional Lobbyist

#56 Exploring MLR and What it Means for Dental Patients Jul 03, 2023

Show notes

On this episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah and Peter sit down with Chad Olson, Director of State Government Affairs at the American Dental Association, to discuss the recent surge of MLR legislation in State Houses.

How does MLR fit into the 50 Labs of Democracy? MLR, or Medical Loss Ratio, refers to the percentage of your insurance premiums that are mandated to go to care rather than administrative costs. In the medical field, MLR is governed by the Affordable Care Act. Chad helps explain the reasons that it is important that this be extended to include dental insurance.

With special guest:

Chad Olson; Director, State Government Affairs, American Dental Association

#55 The Midterms Wrap up - That Was Unexpected Dec 05, 2022

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On this episode of Tooth Talk Sarah and Peter sit down again with ADA Sr. Vice-President of Government Affairs, Mike Graham, to discuss the results of the Midterm Election. Diving into the ADA and Mass Dental's big win on the Massachusetts ballot question and trying to make sense of what turned out to be an exciting Midterm, Sarah, Mike, and Peter break down some of the results, what it means for dentistry, and the approach of the government affairs department in the 118th Congress.

With special guest:

Mr. Mike Graham, Sr. Vice-President, Government and Public Affairs

#54 Yes on 2: Massachusetts Dental Society Talks Ballot Initiative Sep 26, 2022

Show notes

The ADA and the state dental societies have been working with state and federal legislatures and insurance companies over the years to promote broad ranging solutions to the various hurdles patients face with respect to financing their oral health care. In fact, something exciting is happening in Massachusetts on this topic.

The Massachusetts Dental Society is engaged in a ballot question that will establish how much of the premiums collected by dental insurance companies have to be paid for care. Hear how a patient-friendly policy is being taken directly to voters at the polls this November. Brian Monteiro, Director, Governmental Affairs & Public Relations at the Massachusetts Dental Society and Dr. Andrew Tonelli, current Chair of the Boston District Dental Society, member of MDS Government Affairs Committee and the spokesperson for the Massachusetts Dental Care Providers for Better Dental Benefits share how dentists are supporting better benefits for their patients in the Massachusetts.

Individual dentists from across country can support this effort and can find more information about it here: VoteYESon2forDental.com.

With special guests:

Dr. Andrew Tonelli, current Chair of the Boston District Dental Society and Brian Monteiro, Director, Governmental Affairs & Public Relations at the Massachusetts Dental Society

#53 Dental Insurance Reform Sep 05, 2022

Show notes

In this episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah and Peter discuss how dentists are advocating at the federal, state and local levels to make sure dental insurance is fair for all parties involved. Hear which dental insurance reforms are happening and how with the ADA's Paul O'Connor, Senior Legislative Liaison in the Department of State Government Affairs and Dr. Mark Vitale, chair of the Council of Governmental Affairs at the American Dental Association, chair of the ADA State Public Affairs Oversight Workgroup and the past President of New Jersey Dental Association. This episode explains the different insurance reforms dentists care most about and how collaboration with state and local dental societies have a big impact on change. They discuss how different dental insurance reforms will help improve patient care and how dentists can join these advocacy efforts.

With special guests:

Dr. Mark Vitale, Chair, Council of Governmental Affairs, American Dental Association and Paul O'Connor, Senior Legislative Liaison, Department of State Government Affairs

#52 2022 Senate Update Aug 29, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah and Peter provide their in-depth look into this year's Senate midterms. In a year where the Republicans are heavy favorites to take control of the Senate, your hosts take a state by state look at how those pieces are falling into place and whether the Democrats have a chance to buck trends and hold on to the Senate.

#51 Redistricting and the 2022 Midterms Feb 14, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah and Peter go over everything you need to know about the 2022 Midterm elections. From the coast to coast redistricting fight, the wave of retirements, and the historical trends, by the end of this episode, you will be an expert in this year's elections! That is till it all changes in two weeks--hang on for a wild ride.

#50 The New Executive Director, Dr. Ray Cohlmia Jan 24, 2022

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On this episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah and Peter sit down with the ADA's new Executive Director, Dr. Raymond Cohlmia. In this introduction, Dr. Cohlmia talks about why he got into dentistry, his leadership philosophy, and why advocacy is important for the ADA.

#49 Medicare Dental, What's Happening in Congress Sep 22, 2021

Show notes

Peter and Sarah sit down with ADA President, Dr. Dan Klemmedson, and ADA's Senior Vice President of Government and Public Affairs, Mike Graham. We discuss Congress' proposed expansion of Medicare to include dentistry, ADA's alternative proposal to care for seniors in need, and the importance of dentists advocating on this issue. Thank you for listening and please sign up for Action Alerts at www.ADA.org/ActionCenter.

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