Final Tips for Building Relationships and Communicating with Members of Congress

Many members of Congress have town hall meetings, district meetings and other special events in their districts when Congress is in recess or on weekends. Attend these events to get to know your Member of Congress and his or her staff. Do some research prior to the event. Find out, for example, if during previous legislative sessions the legislator filed bills that support the dental education community. Find out where the legislator went to school; maybe you both attended the same institution. Use your best judgment and your social skills; these are only suggestions for opening up conversation.