Page 4 - GP Fall 2025

Editorial…continued from previous page
miums so the insurance company can’t use I’m not sure about the tax implications of Have a plan with other dentists to provide
that as an excuse not to pay. I pay some of disability payments. Ask me next year and coverage for any dental emergencies that
my premiums on an annual basis, so I don’t I’m sure that I’ll know more about it. How- arise during your disability period.
know how that will be handled. However, ever, I know that taxes have not been taken
the company that I pay monthly just sent me out of the payments that I’ve received so far. This is still a case in progress, and I’m sure
a refund check for the premiums that were When looking up the information online, it that there will be other learning opportuni-
paid during the disability period. seems that if one paid for an individual pol- ties throughout this process. I’m hoping this
icy with after-tax dollars, then the payment information is helpful, and hopefully you
Keep good notes/records of all correspon- is not taxable. won’t experience any disabilities in your
dence, including all phone calls. Email pro- career.
vides the best trail.

Hill Day 2025

Author: Nathan Hershkowitz, DDS, MPH, MAGD, LLSR

Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) leaders met on May 6 and May 7 in the nation’s capital to discuss legislative issues impacting
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dentistry and ways to protect oral health care. As part of the two-day event, 36 general dentists representing the AGD meet with lawmakers
on issues affecting our profession and how patient care is delivered to dental patients. Former Congressman and dentist Drew Ferguson (R-
GA) was among those who addressed AGD leaders in attendance before we went to Capitol Hill offices to advocate in-person.
AGD’s Hill Day is an annual event and part of the organization’s year-round outreach efforts to help lawmakers and regulators understand
how major decisions impact oral health care. The face-to-face meetings on Capitol Hill allow general dentists to share their personal sto-
ries and expert insights and create valuable connections with those who make the nation’s laws. This year, during the event, AGD recog-
nized and honored U.S. Representative Jeff Van Drew, DMD, (R-NJ) as legislator of the year for his ongoing support of dental initiatives
in Congress.
During this year’s meetings, AGD leaders addressed:
Oral Health Literacy Act – The AGD has signed on with other oral health organizations to advocate for continuing funding for the oral
health literacy program developed by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This bill requires HRSA to conduct
a public education campaign to increase oral health literacy and awareness, targeting children, pregnant women, parents, older adults,
people with disabilities, and
racial and ethnic minorities.

Resident Education Deferred
Interest Act (REDI Act) –
This bill allows borrowers in
medical or dental internships
or residency programs to defer
student loan payments until the
completion of their programs.
This bill was referred to
the House Committee on
Education and the Workforce
in February 2023.

Action on Dental Health
Act – Passed by the House
in March 2024, this bill
reauthorized funding through
2028 for HRSA’s oral health
workforce grant program,
which was initially passed in
2018 to improve the dental
workforce and access to oral
healthcare. 1

1 Olivia Anderson, House passes Action for Dental Health Act of 2023, ADA-News, March 07, 2024, https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2024/march/house-
passes-action-for-dental-health-act-of-2023/

www.nysagd.org l Fall 2025 l GP 4