ADEA Legislative Advisory Committee

On behalf of ADEA members and the Board of Directors, the ADEA Legislative Advisory Committee (LAC) provides advice and counsel to ADEA on public policy and legislative priorities. The ADEA LAC recommends policy based upon legislative policy priorities that have been approved by the ADEA Board of Directors, covering four broad categories: dental and biomedical research, education and training, access and disparities in care, and infrastructure and workforce. To that end, the ADEA LAC promotes policies and programs that improve the nation's oral health, advance dental and craniofacial research and education, reduce oral health disparities, and increase access to dental care.

ADEA LAC members serve staggered three-year terms. Position openings on the LAC are advertised through the nominations process established by the ADEA House of Delegates and appointed by the ADEA President as approved by the Board of Directors.

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2022-23 Committee Members 

Melanie Mayberry, D.D.S., M.S.-HCM
Chair
Division Director, Practice Essentials and Interprofessional Education
University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry

Nader A. Nadershahi, D.D.S., M.B.A., Ed.D.
Chair of the ADEA Board of Directors
Dean
The Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry University of the Pacific

Ana N. López, D.M.D., M.P.H.
Chair-elect of the ADEA Board of Directors
Professor, Community Dentistry
Former Dean
School of Dental Medicine University of Puerto Rico

Larry Schnuck, FAIA
Member of the ADEA Board of Directors
Vice President, Team Leader Higher Education

Melanie Simmer-Beck, R.D.H., Ph.D.
Chair and Professor, Department of Dental Public Health and Behavioral Science
Director, Students in Training, in Academia, Health and Research (STAHR) Scholars–Dentistry
University of Missouri—Kansas City School of Dentistry

Scott Tomar, D.M.D., Dr.PH.
Associate Dean for Prevention and Public Health Sciences
Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry
Interim Associate Dean for Research
Interim Department Head of Oral Biology Pediatric Dentistry
University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry

Orpheus Triplett, D.D.S.
Assistant Dean
Community Oral Health and Outreach
University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Dentistry

John A. Valenza, D.D.S.
Dean
University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston

Erin Bumann, D.D.S., Ph.D., M.S.
Assistant Professor
Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences
University of Missouri—Kansas City School of Dentistry

Barbara Franklin, M.P.H., D.M.D.
Candidate 2024
Western University of Health Sciences

Shirley Lewis, B.D.S., CAGS, M.S.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Comprehensive Dentistry
Texas A&M University School of Dentistry

Karen P. West, D.M.D., M.P.H. 
President and CEO  
American Dental Education Association
Ex Officio 

Contact

To communicate policy suggestions to ADEA LAC members, please send them to:

ADEA Legislative Advisory Committee
655 K Street, NW
Suite 800
Washington, DC 20001

Or by contacting Tim Leeth, ADEA Chief Advocacy Officer at LeethT@adea.org .