June 2006 ■ Journal of Dental Education 601 Perspectives Today’s Threat Is Tomorrow’s Crisis: Advocating for Dental Education, Dental and Biomedical Research, and Oral Health Jack E. Bresch, M.A.L.S.; Gina G. Luke; Monette D. McKinnon; Myla J. Moss, M.A., M.S.W.; Daryl Pritchard, Ph.D.; Richard W. Valachovic, D.M.D., M.P.H. Abstract: The current political environment in the nation’s capital threatens federal support for programs vital to the academic dental community. To develop a strong cadre of advocates who can deliver an effective and unified message to members of Congress on behalf of dental education and dental research, the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) and the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) created a new organizational structure: the National Oral Health Advocacy Committee (NOHAC) and the National Advocacy Network (NAN). The basic skills and knowledge required to function as an effective advocate include an understanding of the political environment, a working knowledge of the legislative processes and the political players, and the ability to build and work with grassroots networks and coalitions. NOHAC and NAN are designed to provide leadership in these areas to support effective advocacy for dental education and dental research. Mr. Bresch is Associate Executive Director and Director of the Center for Public Policy and Advocacy, American Dental Education Association; Ms. Luke is Director of Legislative Policy Development, American Dental Education Association; Ms. McKinnon is Director of Grassroots Advocacy and State Issues, American Dental Education Association; Ms. Moss is Director of Congressional Relations and Regulatory Affairs, American Dental Education Association; Dr. Pritchard is Director of Legislative Affairs, American Association for Dental Research; and Dr. Valachovic is Executive Director, American Dental Education Association. Direct correspondence and requests for reprints to Mr. Jack E. Bresch, American Dental Education Association, 1400 K Street, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005; 202-289-7201 phone; 202-289-7204 fax; BreschJ@ADEA.org. Submitted for publication 3/13/06; accepted 3/27/06 I n his dialogues, the Greek philosopher Plato addressed virtually every problem and facet of human existence. In The Republic, 1 he issued a warning about the art of governing that is as true today as it was in the fourth century, B.C.E.: “One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.” Now is not the time for dental educators and research- ers to be detached from or indifferent to the political process. On the contrary, now is the time to engage the process and be advocates for dental education, dental and biomedical research, and oral health. Current and Future Challenges At the end of 2005, the U.S. Congress passed the fiscal year 2006 federal budget. As demonstrated in Figure 1, Congress reduced funding for the Na- tional Institutes of Health (NIH) by 0.3 percent and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) by 0.7 percent. The NIH reduc- tion was the first budget cut for the nation’s premier biomedical research organization in thirty-six years. The fiscal year 2006 budget also cut spending for the Title VII Health Professions Programs by 34 per- cent. Title VII appropriations provide funding for a variety of programs for dental students and residents and academic dental institutions that improve the geo- graphic distribution, quality, and ethnic diversity of the health care workforce through loans, loan guar- antees, scholarships, and grants. Among the programs most severely cut were the general dentistry and pe- diatric dentistry residency training grants, for which funding was reduced by 53 percent. Congress also completely eliminated grants for geriatric programs and health education training centers.