Alabama Dentist Advocates for Dental Care Access at U.S. Senate Committee
Dr. Gordon R. Isbell III, a general dentist from Alabama and member of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) on May 16th, 2024. His testimony focused on improving access to dental care and the challenges within the U.S. oral health system. This appearance precedes AGD’s annual Hill Day, where members will engage with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
“Research underscores dental care’s critical role in overall health while revealing significant access disparities,” Isbell stated. “The AGD is committed to addressing these inequities through the expertise of private practice dentists. It’s crucial that in our pursuit of solutions, we protect the integrity of private practice dentistry and ensure that only fully trained and licensed professionals provide the necessary care.”
Dr. Isbell highlighted the vital connection between oral and systemic health and discussed four key areas AGD urges Congress to address:
- Increasing the dental workforce through the Action on Dental Health Act.
- Ensuring fair relationships between dentists and insurers via the Dental and Optometric Care (DOC) Access Act.
- Recognizing AGD as an approved opioid training provider under the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act.
- Promoting oral health literacy through the Oral Health Literacy Act.
Oral health-related illnesses contribute to 6.1 million days of bed disability, 12.7 million days of restricted activity, and 20.5 million lost workdays annually.
With over 43 years of practice in Gadsden, Alabama, Dr. Isbell, along with his son Dr. Ross Isbell, operates two practices employing more than 20 staff members. He has been a staunch advocate for oral health and has collaborated extensively with legislators and regulators. His contributions to the field have earned him several honors, including the AGD’s Dr. Mark S. Ritz Advocate for Dentistry Award and the Distinguished Service Award. He also served as co-chairman of the ADA’s American Dental Political Action Committee (ADPAC) and received the Jack Wilson Award for Advocacy.
About the Academy of General Dentistry
The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) is a professional association representing over 40,000 general dentists dedicated to quality dental care and public oral health education. Founded in 1952, AGD is the world’s largest association for general dentists. For more information, visit the Academy of General Dentistry at https://agd.org
