DENPAC

TDA's PAC • advocating for the preservation of organized dentistry • promoting dental health for the people of Texas • established in 1967

09/03/2026

Dr. Melissa Uriegas recently attended an event for Representative Janie Lopez, who has represented HD 37 in the Rio Grande Valley since 2023. Rep. Lopez serves on the powerful House Appropriations Committee and has been a good friend to TDA and a champion for oral health matters at the Texas Capitol.

TDA has member dentists in almost every legislative district with a personal connection to their legislators. We refer to those members as “key contact dentists”—members who volunteer their time and resources to help advance TDA’s legislative and regulatory agendas. These key contacts may be asked to reach out to the legislator in their district when legislative issues affecting dentistry arise. And because these key contacts have already established a relationship with their legislator, they are more effective at influencing and achieving success.

Pictured: Rep. Janie Lopez, Gov. Greg Abbott, Dr. Melissa Uriegas

09/02/2026

Dr. Matt Roberts on the value of DENPAC: “I’ve had a front row seat to Texas politics for over 20 years. Without a doubt, DENPAC has made every success possible.”

Dr. Roberts is a member of the Brazos Valley Dental Society and Chair of TDA’s Council on Legislative, Regulatory, and Governmental Affairs (CLRA).

08/16/2026

We are DENPAC! 🌟🏛️🦷💪

💭DENPAC leadership met virtually this weekend for our annual officer training and marketing meeting! Our team is inspired and energized about strengthening DENPAC to preserve the future of organized dentistry and advocate effectively for oral health care!

📸Top row: Dr. Scott Morse, Ms. Staci Rives, Dr. Michael Najera, Dr. Dan O’Dell, Dr. Debrah Worsham
2nd row: Dr. John Purdy, Dr. Rob Neal, Dr. Rich Potter, Dr. Tommy Harrison, Mr. Jess Calvert
3rd row: Dr. Melissa Uriegas, Dr. Ed Wentz, Dr. Joey Cazares, Dr. Ralph Cooley, Dr. Jon Vogel
Bottom row: Ms. Janet Hooten, Dr. Mark Peppard

🔗To learn more about DENPAC, please visit denpac.org

08/14/2026

TDA’s Council on Legislative, Regulatory, and Governmental Affairs – or CLRA – met today in Austin. CLRA makes certain that TDA has an effective voice in the legislative process and state government. 🦷🏛️🗣️

CLRA works with TDA’s legislative and regulatory affairs staff and TDA’s contract legislative consultants to implement TDA’s legislative agenda as determined by the House of Delegates. CLRA strives to maintain positive working relationships with legislators, state officials, and allied professional groups.

In conjunction with component societies, CLRA informs members about governmental actions and mobilizes TDA’s grassroots organization. CLRA also works with regulatory agencies to help ensure a competitive marketplace for dentists and quality dental care for all Texans.

L-R: Ms. Lee Ann Johnson, Mr. Bill Bingham, Mr. Jess Calvert, Dr. Shane Ricci, Dr. Debrah Worsham, Dr. Mark Peppard, Ms. Staci Rives, Ms. Susan Ross, Dr. Glen Hall, Dr. Elizabeth Goldman, Dr. Susan Joliff, Dr. Matt Roberts, Dr. Michael Najera, Dr. Austin Green, Mr. Carl Galant, Ms. Janet Crow, & Dr. Paul Kennedy

To learn more about TDA’s advocacy efforts, please visit tda.org/advocacy

08/06/2026

✨ Dr. Jon Vogel is the key contact for multiple Texas legislators, including Senator Nathan Johnson (SD 16), Representative Venton Jones (HD 100), and Representative John Bryant (HD 114).

📣 Dr. Vogel serves on the DENPAC Board as the Senior Director for the Northeast division. He has spent over a decade heavily involved in advocacy efforts at both the state and federal level. Dr. Vogel is a fierce supporter of DENPAC and is always an active participant in TDA’s Legislative Day. In his own words, he says:

🗣️ “DENPAC allows us to build relationships and educate our representatives so that they are informed on the needs of our profession, and most importantly, our patients. Ultimately it is the mechanism in which we turn our advocacy goals into advocacy wins. It is only possible though with the membership and support of dentists across Texas. Join DENPAC and help us secure the future of dentistry today.”

🦷 TDA has member dentists in almost every legislative district with a personal connection to their legislators. We refer to those members as “key contact dentists”—members who volunteer their time and resources to help advance TDA’s legislative and regulatory agendas. And because these key contacts have already established a relationship with their legislator, they are more effective at influencing and achieving success.

📸 Pictured: Dr. Jon Vogel & Rep. Venton Jones

06/15/2026

Out now! The Texas Toothline has arrived in your inbox! This new publication serves as your monthly update from the front lines of Texas dental advocacy, courtesy of DENPAC!

05/05/2026

🦷 3 Days Until the Bidding Begins!

🔗 Link in bio to view items

04/28/2026

When recently discussing dental assistant duties, the TSBDE clarified that dental assistants may not perform Curodont Repair. Curodont Repair is a non-invasive, pain-free treatment designed to reverse early-stage cavities (white spot lesions) by stimulating enamel regeneration without drilling or fillings.

Current Curodont application techniques require the tooth to be cleaned—often with pumice or prophy paste—to remove plaque and the salivary pellicle. The tooth is then etched with 35% phosphoric acid gel to remove the mineral layer and allow the product to pe*****te the lesion. These steps fall outside the scope of practice for dental assistants.

The TSBDE publicly confirmed that dental assistants cannot apply Curodont under current protocols. However, the Dental Board also noted that application techniques continue to evolve, and dental assistants may be permitted to apply Curodont in the future.

For more information on the TSBDE, please contact TDA Senior Policy Manager Diane Rhodes at 512-443-3675 ext. 122, [email protected].

04/27/2026

📋🇺🇸🗳️ Today is the last day to register to vote in the Primary Runoff Election on May 26th!

To register to vote or check your registration status, please visit: votetexas.gov

04/23/2026

For this week’s post, we go back to the 2025 TDA Meeting, when DENPAC Chair Dr. Lee Clitheroe addressed the TDA House of Delegates to emphasize the important role DENPAC plays in TDA’s advocacy efforts on behalf of organized dentistry!

To learn more about DENPAC, please visit: denpac.org

Address

1946 S IH 35, Ste 400
Austin, TX
78704

Website

http://www.tda.org/denpac

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