Due to the pandemic, the upcoming 2022 legislative session (starting Jan. 10) will be mostly virtual. Even in a virtual format, it is important to be engaged and informed on issues that may impact your profession, your practice, and your patients. Below are four ways you can stay involved during session.

1. Sign up for Phone2Action by texting “WSDA” to the number 52886. Phone2Action will send you text message alerts when action is most necessary on critical dental issues. By simply clicking a link in a text message, you will be able to contact your legislators about dental issues via email. Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to sign up.
2. Sign in to state your position on a bill. Stating your position will give legislators an idea of how many people support or oppose a bill. Registered positions will be made available to legislative members and staff of the committee and will be included in the legislative record. Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to state your position without testifying. WSDA will notify members when they should sign in on a bill.
3. Watch the Legislature. During session, you can watch the Legislature on TVW, Washington state’s version of C-SPAN. You can access TVW by visiting www.tvw.org, downloading the TVW mobile app, or checking out TVW’s Channel Locator to find your local cable providers channel location on the Dial.
4. Meet with your legislators. Due to the mostly virtual session, Dental Action Day — originally scheduled for Feb. 1 — has been cancelled for 2022. WSDA remains committed to advocating on your behalf and ensuring that you have access to your legislators to discuss issues facing the dental profession. If you or your component society are interested in meeting with your legislators during the 2022 legislative session, please email lauren@wsda.org.

Questions? Please contact Lauren Johnson at lauren@wsda.org.