Legislative Activities

The Minnesota Dental Association is committed to working on behalf of its members to help enact key legislation that affects the practice of dentistry.  As a leading force in our state's public policy debates, the MDA believes the dental profession and its success affects the state's health.  Our highest priorities are to advance the dental profession, to enhance access and quality dental care for patients, and to fight unwarranted regulations of the dental profession.

View our main Legislative Brochure, which highlights several successful dental programs throughout the state and also calls attention to areas where change is still proposed.

The Minnesota Dental Association's top priority is legislative affairs. Legislative activities are coordinated by our Legislative Committee and supported by Director of Legislative Affairs Tom Day and two veteran contract lobbyists Dominic Sposeto and Mary Gilbert Dougherty.   In our Advocacy section you can review current state legislation, the positions taken by your Association and the outcomes that resulted from its lobbying efforts.  

 
The MDA strongly encourages members to participate in the political process by engaging local legislators in dialogue regarding issues affecting dentistry through our Grassroots Network.  For assistance with identifying the legislators from your district, as well as communicating our messages to legislators, click here to access our Legislative Action Center.

 
The Minnesota Dental Political Action Committee or MINDENPAC works to advance the legislative agenda of the MDA in the state legislature by supporting the candidacies of people who are supportive of dental legislation. MDA members who contribute to MINDENPAC help ensure an influential political presence at our State Capitol.

In addition to the above areas, our Legislative Affairs Department:

• Conducts Dental Day at the Capitol.
• Works with the regulatory community which often times has as much influence on dentists as legislation.
• Answers hundreds of questions regarding laws and business practices affecting the industry.
• Writes Legislative Alerts, bulletins and any other legislative affairs related communications.
• Holds legislative or regulatory forums when necessary.
• Participates in dozens of state and national coalitions.