国会大厦的牙科卫生学生大厅

Emilie Jenson, Public Information Office
2/29/2024

爱荷华州中央口腔卫生项目的学生最近有机会参观爱荷华州议会大厦，并为他们未来的职业进行游说。

The program’s second-year students gathered at the Capitol with professional hygienists, students from other schools and Iowa Dental Hygienists’ Association President Amanda Jay where they attended legislative sessions and spoke with lawmakers about bills impacting the dental profession.

学生们与州代表安·梅耶和参议员蒂姆·克拉恩布林克就医疗补助计划报销牙齿卫生、学校检查和爱荷华州牙科委员会代表等问题进行了会面。

“We want to give Iowans on Medicaid better access to dental care because it is not accepted in so many places,” said hygiene student Abby Melohn. “Sometimes those patients have serious dental issues but have to wait weeks or even months to get in to be seen by someone who accepts the insurance.”

学生们还为众议院2574号文件和参议院2385号文件进行游说，这些文件涉及州董事会和委员会以及在董事会任职的代表。 爱荷华州牙科委员会由州长任命的九名成员组成，其中两名是注册牙科保健员。

“There is currently a committee on the Iowa Dental Board with hygienist representatives and we want to make sure they keep that,” said hygiene student Erin Irlmeier. “It gives hygienists a voice in the dental profession and on the state board.”

The final item on the agenda for the student lobbyists was House File 2393, which would allow hygienists to perform dental screenings in schools without needing signed consent from a student’s parents or guardians. 目前，听力和视力检查不需要征得同意，该法案还要求牙齿检查也不需要征得同意。

经过一个上午的游说，该组织参加了一场立法会议，在那里他们目睹了立法者的行动。

“It was interesting to see what goes on behind the scenes and seeing everyone in action and how legislation works,” said hygiene student Peyton Riley.

他们从克拉延布林克参观了国会大厦，在那里他们参观了爱荷华州法律图书馆，爬了近300级楼梯从国会大厦的圆顶上俯瞰，参观了州长金·雷诺兹的办公室，在那里他们见证了她签署法案的实施。

“It was an interesting learning day,” said Melohn. “It was the first time any of us had lobbied for anything.”