Dr. Natalia Chalmers, the U.S. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) first-ever Chief Dental Officer in the Office of the Administrator, will speak at the 2023 AAO Professional Advocacy Conference, scheduled February 28 – March 1 in Washington, D.C.
In announcing Dr. Chalmers’ appointment to her post in 2021, the CMS noted that her passion for pediatric dentistry began early when she saw the “devastating effects of poor oral health in her elderly patients and decided to devote her energy to understanding the disease process and the most efficient and effective prevention strategies.”
A board-certified pediatric dentist, oral health policy expert and public health advocate, Dr. Chalmers has more than 20 years of clinical, research, industry and regulatory experience. Her educational background includes coursework at the Medical University Sofia, a residency in pediatric dentistry at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, and a doctorate in oral microbiology from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. She has also conducted research with the National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research and worked to transform health care data and information into “actionable insights to address equity, improve care, and better policy and funding.”
AAO Political Action Committee (AAOPAC) contributors of $250 or more have received an invitation to attend the Professional Advocacy Conference. If you have not received an invitation, there’s still time. Make your $250 contribution now and you’ will receive an invitation to register. Your support of AAOPAC helps fuel our AAO advocacy priorities in Washington, D.C. and in states throughout the country.
Advocacy Conference to Offer Dynamic Schedule
In addition to hearing from Dr. Chalmers, Advocacy Conference attendees will enjoy a series of planned events and opportunities, including:
- Meetings on Capitol Hill
- Updates from federal regulators
- AAOPAC reception attended by members of Congress
- AAO delegation meeting at the Canadian Embassy
- Training, resources, and updates on state & federal priorities
- Emerging trends and advocacy in action related to mail-order orthodontics
- Recognition of AAOPAC top contributors
- Insider briefs and tools to equip all attendees for influence on our policy priorities through advocacy
- Opportunity to explore our nation’s capital
- Engaging through grassroots outreach, and making the specialty’s collective voice heard in Washington, D.C.
Please join us in Washington, D.C., for a chance to hear from Dr. Chalmers and join other AAO members to advocate for legislative policies to positively impact orthodontic practice and patients. Don’t forget – save your place at the 2023 Professional Advocacy Conference today.
