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.
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 .