DH 207Concorde Career CollegeTXSANJacqueline Aguilar RDH, BSDH

Issues in Dental Hygiene Professional Issues

Ethical Issues

Workforce Issues

Employment Issues

Access to care Issues

What Will You Do? According to the ADHA, the dental

hygienist has many roles, one of which is the advocate

One of the responsibilities of the advocate is to lobby to change laws

Source: Nathe, C.M. Dental Public Health & Research, 3rd Ed. New Jersey: Pearson; 2011

You Have a Voice

And it is likely that you have an opinion…..

So, What Can You Do? Don’t stand by

Get Involved

Be an agent of change

Speak up

Write a letter to your elected official

Change Agent

An individual who intentionally or unintentionally causes social, cultural, or behavioral change

Source: Nathe, C.M. Dental Public Health & Research, 3rd Ed. New Jersey: Pearson; 2011

Change is a verb that implies action To modify something means to make

basic or fundamental changes without losing essential components A modification is usually a more acceptable

form of change as a starting point To alter is to deviate from what is normal

or expected or to make different without changing into something else

To transform is to change something from one state to a completely different one

Source: Nathe, C.M. Dental Public Health & Research, 3rd Ed. New Jersey: Pearson; 2011

Why Write to Elected Officials?

Maybe you're not convinced that writing a letter to your elected official is the best way to spend your time. There are several reasons it’s worth your while, including:

To explain to an official how a particular issue affects you or your group.

To express support for a proposed law, policy, or course of action.

To oppose a proposed law, policy, or course of action. In any of the above cases, the letter may include

information about the issue that the official may not have, or suggest an alternate course of action that she hasn’t previously heard about

Source: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-elected-officials/main

Write A LetterDecide who the appropriate

recipient is Locate the name and addressWrite your letterFollow the issue

How To Write Your Letter DECIDE ON THE RECIPIENT.Get the name, title, and address of the official who will make the decision about your issue. Watch to make sure that all names are spelled correctly and that you have the proper address. An incorrect name counts against you. An incorrect address may mean your letter might not arrive at all.Source: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-elected-officials/main

OPEN THE LETTER IN AN OFFICIAL MANNER

If you are writing to an elected official, show respect for the position by using the title of the office, and the official's full name. In any other letter, use the familiar term "Dear," the title Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss, or Dr., and the official's full name.

Example:January 5, 2008Title [Name of Representative or Senator]House of Representatives [OR] U.S. SenateOffice AddressWashington, D.C. 20515

Source: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-elected-officials/main

Explain The Purpose For Your Letter Let your reader know immediately what

your letter is about. Tell him/her why you are concerned or pleased that a particular decision is being considered

Source: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-elected-officials/main

SUMMARIZE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE ISSUE/DECISION BEING CONSIDERED

State the general impact that you expect to occur if a particular decision is made

Source: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-elected-officials/main

EXPLAIN YOUR POSITION ON THIS ISSUE

Describe in detail why you feel the decision made will lead to the impact you foresee

Source: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-elected-officials/main

DESCRIBE WHAT ANY CHANGES WILL MEAN TO YOU, AND TO OTHERS

Describe specifically the positive or negative effects the decision will have on you personally and on those you represent. The more people affected by the decision, the more convincing you may be

Source: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-elected-officials/main

IDENTIFY OTHERS WHO MAY BE AFFECTED BY THIS DECISION

Tell the official which, and how many, people will be affected. Statistics can be very helpful here

Source: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-elected-officials/main

ACKNOWLEDGE PAST SUPPORT

Mention appropriate actions and decisions the official has made in the past and express thanks for them

Source: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-elected-officials/main

DESCRIBE WHAT ACTION YOU HOPE THE OFFICIAL WILL TAKE

State specifically what action you (and those you represent) hope the official will take--and by what date, if there is a deadline

Source: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-elected-officials/main

IF YOU HAVE WRITTEN A LETTER THAT OPPOSES SOME ACTION, OFFER AN ALTERNATIVE

Source: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-elected-officials/main

CLOSE AND SIGN YOUR LETTER Thank the official and sign your full

name. Make sure your address, and phone number are included

Source: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-elected-officials/main

CHECK YOUR LETTER FOR SPELLING AND GRAMMATICAL ERRORS

Correct spelling and grammar won't do the job by themselves, but they can help. Why not give your letter every possible advantage?

Source: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-elected-officials/main

Where To Find Your Address http://www.usa.gov/Agencies.shtml http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/

voter/elected.shtml