Making dentistry effective at the state level: South Carolina.

State dental associations must be responsive to the unique needs of the public and dentists in each state. The South Carolina Dental Association has a tradition of proactively partnering with the legislature and others to promote the long-range oral health of the state. Issues of access, licensure, and fair reimbursement are important concerns. SCDA has taken the lead in these areas, as well as in understanding the needs of new dentists, providing services for dentists as part of a non-dues financial structure, and advocating for the interests of individual practitioners.