RIDA Advocacy Initiatives
The Rhode Island Dental Association advocates tirelessly for Ocean State dentists, working at the state and federal levels for policies that will protect and maintain oral health, patient care and dental practices.
RIDA’s advocacy work ensures dentists have a “seat at the table” within the Legislature and throughout the state, keeping the profession and oral health at the forefront. See where RIDA focuses its advocacy efforts, and how you can get involved.
Small state. Collective strength. Big Impact
RIDA’s advocacy efforts are bolstered by the voices in the profession—like yours! It is critical that members make their voices heard among elected officials and policymakers on issues that impact dentistry, patient care and oral health.RIDA’s advocacy work ensures dentists have a “seat at the table” within the Legislature and throughout the state, keeping the profession and oral health at the forefront. See where RIDA focuses its advocacy efforts, and how you can get involved.
Current Bills Filed
Medical Loss Ratio
H-5497 McNamara / S-286 Unifies
Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) ensures that dental plans are more transparent and accountable to the patients they serve. This reform requires dental insurance companies to spend at least 83% of patient premium dollars on patient care. If they don’t, they have to return the premium dollars.
RIDA is strongly supporting this bill.
Telehealth Dentistry
H-5352 Kennedy H-5556 Kennedy H-5683 Casimiro
RIDA appreciates the advances in care delivery created by telemedicine. Often this modality increases access and improves efficiency. This particular bill, however, would allow for unsupervised and potentially damaging orthodontic treatment that does not serve the public well.
This bill as presented is not supported by RIDA.
Facility Fee for Dental Procedures
H-5796 McNamara
There is a staggeringly long back log of patients needing dental care in an operating room setting. Many children and adults with specific conditions are currently waiting for care. This bill would cover the facility fee for these cases and increase access for many children.
RIDA strongly supports this bill.
Grassroots Advocacy
Don’t like how things are going? Be part of the solution. Get informed. Get Involved. It is amazing what a committed group of dental professionals can accomplish when they share a common interest and possess the energy to see things through to better their patients and their profession.
