Building Advocacy Power: A Toolkit for Medicaid Dental Advocacy for People with Disabilities

Session Description: People with disabilities face profound barriers to accessing, affording, and utilizing oral healthcare, perpetuated neglect, and a exclusive Medicaid policies. This session introduces a transformative, community-centered approach to Medicaid dental expansion for people with disabilities. Attendees will review a five-part advocacy toolkit designed to empower advocates, amplify community voices, and push for meaningful Medicaid policy change. Throughout this seminar, participants will learn strategies for navigating complex political landscapes, engaging decision-makers, and leveraging data to craft compelling policy proposals. Featuring real-world examples, templates, and action plans, this seminar walks participants through advocacy activities that reshape Medicaid dental access for people with disabilities—driving sustainable solutions for improving Medicaid coverage and eligibility. This session offers practical, step-by-step guidance for establishing advocacy collaboratives that center the voices and needs of the disability community, equipping attendees to engage, influence, and reshape Medicaid dental policy.