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
Jun 16, 2025•45 min•Ep. 58
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 Tal...
Oct 02, 2023•31 min•Ep. 57
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...
Jul 03, 2023•30 min•Ep. 56
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...
Dec 05, 2022•31 min•Ep. 55
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 car...
Sep 26, 2022•35 min•Ep. 54
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 Wor...
Sep 05, 2022•34 min•Ep. 53
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.
Aug 29, 2022•59 min•Ep. 52
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.
Feb 14, 2022•43 min•Ep. 51
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.
Jan 24, 2022•32 min•Ep. 50
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 .
Sep 22, 2021•31 min•Ep. 49
On this episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah and Peter chat with Dr. Jessica Meeske, Chair Council on Advocacy for Access and Prevention, about health equity. Dr. Meeske shines a light on this important topic by discussing what it means to have equity in dental care, Medicaid, and the steps her council is taking to bring this issue to the ADA and the dental profession.
Sep 20, 2021•35 min•Ep. 48
On this episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah and Peter talk about the effects of McCarran Ferguson repeal with George Slover, Senior Policy Counsel with Consumer Reports. Bringing his expertise on an issue he has worked on since his time as a Congressional staffer, George provides insights into the effects of the repeal of the healthcare antitrust exemption.
May 17, 2021•38 min•Ep. 47
In this two-part episode, Peter and Sarah welcome Mike Graham, ADA’s Senior Vice President of Government and Public Affairs to give highlights and accomplishments of 2020. In the second part of the show, We discuss the incoming Congress. Thank you for listening and Happy Holidays- see you in 2021.
Dec 28, 2020•38 min•Ep. 46
Well nobody's perfect. On this episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah and Peter wrap up the 2020 Election. They talk about what they got right, and moreover what they got wrong, and what the political future may hold.
Nov 30, 2020•39 min•Ep. 45
In this second installment of Tooth Talk's Election Prediction specials Sarah and Peter break down the House- literally. We go over “toss up” House races, dentists running for Congress, early voting, polling, and predictions. As a reminder all opinions are our own.
Oct 27, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 44
This episode of Tooth Talk is the first in Sarah and Peter’s Election Prediction specials. For this first installment, the duo tackle the Senate. They go over the hot races, what the two special elections mean for the Senate, and share what has surprised them the most. Sarah and Peter’s opinions are their own, and they would love to hear yours. Email the show at toothtalk@ada.org.
Oct 12, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 43
In this episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah and Peter sit down with the leadership of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA). ASDA President Sydney Shapiro and Vice-Presidents Aditi Desai and Gerry Scannell discuss ASDA and organized dentistry’s role in the student experience. They also touch on mentorship, the importance of advocacy, and the effects COVID-19 has had on their post-school practice decisions.
Aug 24, 2020•43 min•Ep. 42
On this episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah and Peter are joined by Dr. Tricia Quartey, who practices in Brooklyn, N.Y. and Dr. Alexandra Malebranche, who practices in Philadelphia P.A. In this episode, we hear the perspective from the doctors’ journey as women of color in dentistry, and their thoughts on social justice, race, and public health.
Aug 10, 2020•37 min•Ep. 41
On this episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah and Peter sit down with Dr. Chad Gehani, the 156th President of the American Dental Association, to learn about the issues facing dentistry today during the Covid-19 pandemic. Dr. Gehani shares the steps the ADA has taken to help dentists get back to practicing. From a reopening tool kit, to all of the legislative and grassroots actions, Dr. Gehani shines a light on all the ADA does for the profession.
Jul 13, 2020•30 min•Ep. 40
On this episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah and Peter sit down with Dr. Colleen Greene. Dr. Greene is a public health dentist from Wisconsin with a unique perspective on social justice, dentistry, and public health. We also get her personal story, which is compelling and not to be missed. We usually keep Tooth Talk “light”, but like everyone else have been deeply affected by the murder of George Floyd. Appropriately, this show is more serious in nature. We hope you are safe and well and know you will e...
Jun 15, 2020•27 min•Ep. 39
On this episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah and Peter sit down with Dr. Bruce Hutchison of Virginia to discuss the challenges and strategies of reopening a practice as Virginia dentists head back to work. From barriers for reception areas to temperature checks at the door, Dr. Hutchison walks us through all the steps and small details that change the way to run a practice for the foreseeable future.
May 25, 2020•39 min•Ep. 38
On this light hearted episode of Tooth Talk Sarah and Peter talk quarantine routines, current advocacy efforts, and ask each other some of the questions going around the Web for virtual meet ups. We hope this episode is a welcome break from the news of the day. Please be safe out there.
May 11, 2020•29 min•Ep. 37
We’re Back! Now that they got the hang of social distancing, Tooth Talk returns with this all-new episode. The world has changed and COVID-19 has had a huge effect on dentistry. Sarah and Peter welcome back Mike Graham, Sr. Vice President of Government Affairs, to discuss the steps that the ADA is taking to help protect dentists and patients during this global pandemic. Mike dives into various legislative packages and the CARES Act stimulus bill to help listeners better understand the new aid pa...
Apr 21, 2020•37 min•Ep. 36
Apr 17, 2020•2 min
On this episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah and Peter dive into the Super Tuesday election results. Sarah walks us through the House and Senate races, and their implications for November and the new Congress. Peter takes us through the state of the Presidential primary results and the wild swings we saw from Friday to Super Tuesday.
Mar 09, 2020•38 min•Ep. 35
The ADA’s Community Dental Health Coordinator (CDHC) program, launched in 2006 to provide community-based prevention, care coordination, and patient navigation to connect people who typically don’t receive care from a dentist. Listen to CDHC Gena Riley discuss how she is removing barriers and connecting students in rural and urban areas to dental care in Delaware.
Feb 24, 2020•29 min•Ep. 34
On this episode of Tooth Talk, guest host Megan Mortimer, Congressional Lobbyist, and Peter sit down with Nicole Catral Senior Manager, Social Responsibility and Philanthropy at the ADA. Nicole talks about the realignment of the ADA Foundation and the creation of her new division. She also dives into the ADA’s Give Kids a Smile program by providing a history of the program, its future goals, the dentists that volunteer their time to participate, and stats on the number of kids seen through the p...
Feb 10, 2020•23 min•Ep. 33
On this episode of Tooth Talk, Sarah and Peter sit down with Alexandra Abboud, Governmental Affairs Liaison for the Florida Dental Association and Matt Rossetto, Director of Government Services for the Wisconsin Dental Association. The four dig into the differences between state and federal lobbying, different approaches to advocacy, and the important role dentists play in shaping the laws that govern their practice. With their effervescent personalities and extensive knowledge, Alexandra and Ma...
Jan 27, 2020•46 min•Ep. 32
On Tooth Talk’s first episode of 2020, Sarah and Peter celebrate the 75th anniversary of community water fluoridation by sitting down with Ms. Tooka Zokaie, the ADA’s Manager for Fluoridation & Preventive Health Activities. Ms. Zokaie talks about her role at the ADA and the benefits of community water fluoridation, as well as the science behind it. She also walks us through some of the myths and facts surrounding fluoride and dives deeper into the ADA’s other preventive health activities....
Jan 13, 2020•26 min•Ep. 31
In Tooth Talk’s final episode of 2019, Sarah and Peter look ahead to the 2020 elections and what the state of the race looks like as the calendar turns. Your hosts give their predictions on the 2020 Senate races, as well as how current events and recent retirement announcements may shape the House races. Sarah and Peter also share where our own dentist members of Congress stand in their reelection bids.
Dec 23, 2019•46 min•Ep. 30
