Legislative Advocacy

Montana Legislature and Governor

Your MDA actively engages in the Montana Legislature - not only during the 90-day-maximum biennial session but also in the interim.  That includes the Governor, who has the power to propose budgets, suggest legislation, and pass/amend/veto bills.  And we need your help!  To participate in Advocacy efforts, please contact Executive Director Webb Brown.

2025 Legislative Session

Following a highly-successful strategic planning session in the Fall of 2023, the MDA established our priorities for the 69th Legislative Session beginning January 6, 2025.  MDA's legislative initiative will protect dental practices, improve practice efficiency, and improve access to care. MDA is sponsoring bills to:

  • Require insurance companies to provide value in dental insurance by requiring at least 80% of premiums go toward payment of claims.  This is similar to existing requirement for major medical insurance.
  • Pursue increased funding for Medicaid reimbursement for dental coverage to ensure continued access to care.
  • Gradually increase the cap on medical malpractice non-economic damages.
  • Resist efforts by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry to remove control from the Montana Board of Dentistry to its bureaucracy.
  • Work with Montana dental hygienists to find a solution for Limited Access Permit (LAP) regulation.

Grassroots Dental Advocate

MDA staff and lobbyists will be pushing MDA's agenda in the Capitol, but the voice legislators hear most clearly is yours, as a dentist serving patients in your community. Here's how you can help:

  • GET TO KNOW YOUR LEGISLATORS – Every Montanan has a state Senator and a state Representative. If you don't already know them, click here and use the dropdown menu under "Legislators".  Don't forget to check your practice address as well as home - you may have other legislators and it is just as important they know you have a small business in their district!
  • CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS - You can quickly and easily contact legislators on your own or in response to an MDA "Call to Action!" electronic alert. Click here to go the Montana Legislature site and use the dropdown menu under "Legislators".  Click here to register for MDA's online advocacy program (VoterVoice).
  • TESTIFY ON BILLS - With the development and acceptance of Zoom, you don't have to appear in person in the committee room.  Contact Webb Brown for all the details on testifying.
  • (COMPLETED) DENTAL DAYS AT THE CAPITOL - Join your colleagues in Helena for the "Tooth & Nail" legislative reception and dinner Jan. 9 and the "Hill Climb" Jan. 10 during Dental Days at the Capitol. 

Thank you for becoming an MDA Advocate for Dentistry!