Welcome to the National Dental Advocacy Program (NDAP)
Bridging the Gap Between Patients and Dental Care
✨Welcome to the National Dental Advocacy Program
We’re excited to welcome you to the very first edition of The Advocates Corner, the official newsletter of the National Dental Advocacy Program (NDAP). This space is dedicated to making dental care simpler, more accessible, and rooted in compassion.
NDAP was founded on the belief that every patient deserves a knowledgeable advocate when navigating the world of oral healthcare. With the complexity of insurance plans, treatment options, and finding the right provider, patients often feel overwhelmed. That’s where we come in.
💜 What is the National Dental Advocacy Program?
NDAP is a nonprofit organization on a mission to bridge the gap between patients and dental providers. While we serve patients of all ages, we specialize in supporting those who need extra help—seniors, individuals with disabilities, children, and patients navigating specialty services such as sleep dentistry, TMJ care, and medical-dental billing.
Our team offers hands-on support with:
✔ Scheduling appointments
✔ Reviewing treatment plans
✔ Navigating insurance coverage
✔ Communicating with dental offices and insurance companies
✔ Advocating for ethical and patient-centered care
Looking ahead, we plan to expand our services to include nationwide telehealth consultations and coordination of mobile dental care, ensuring even greater access to compassionate, high-quality dentistry.
🌟 Why We Created This Program
The National Dental Advocacy Program was born from personal experience.
I’m Shelbey Arevalo, BCPA—founder of NDAP, a dental billing consultant, and a Board-Certified Patient Advocate with over 15 years in the dental field. My passion for advocacy was sparked when I became the power of attorney for my father, who is permanently disabled. That experience gave me firsthand insight into the confusion, frustration, and emotional toll that comes with navigating the healthcare system—especially dental care, which is so often overlooked.
I created NDAP to empower patients, streamline access to care, and ensure that no one falls through the cracks when it comes to their oral health. We believe in dignity, education, and equity—and we’re proud to support patients in making informed, confident decisions about their care.
🏡 Spotlight: The Senior Outreach Project
We are proud to launch the Senior Outreach Project, a program designed to bring dental advocacy and access directly into senior living facilities across Northern California.
Through this initiative, we will:
Partner with facilities to assess resident dental needs.
Provide advocacy to families navigating dental plans and treatment.
Connect seniors with mobile and teledentistry providers who accept Medicaid, PPO, and private pay.
Ensure no senior is left without proper oral health support.
This project is close to my heart. My father, a long-time resident of Assisted Senior Living, is the reason I began this mission. His journey—and the struggles many seniors face—fuels our commitment to advocate for vulnerable populations.
🛠️ Resource of the Month: What is Dental Advocacy?
Dental advocacy is the act of standing beside patients to ensure they receive fair, ethical, and compassionate dental care. Advocates help patients by:
✔ Reviewing treatment plans for fairness and accuracy.
✔ Navigating insurance benefits and coverage.
✔ Supporting communication between patients and providers.
✔ Coordinating records, referrals, and claims.
✔ Educating families on their rights and options.
In short: Advocacy turns confusion into clarity, and fear into empowerment.
🤝 Your Partner in Oral Healthcare
At NDAP, we’re not just a service—we’re your partner in health. Every patient, every family, and every need matters. Whether you’re managing a chronic condition, trying to understand your dental benefits, or seeking a second opinion, we’re here to support you.
Together, we can make oral healthcare more ethical, transparent, and patient-centered—one case at a time.
📣 How to Get Involved
Patients & Families – Become a member today and access direct support for only $35/month.
Providers – Partner with NDAP to bring advocacy into your practice or facility.
Supporters – Help us grow by donating or sponsoring our Senior Outreach Project.
📞 Call/Text: (707) ASK-NDAP or (707) 275-6327
📧 Email: info@nationaldentaladvocacy.org
🌐 Visit Us Online: www.nationaldentaladvocacy.org
💬 Closing Thoughts
Thank you for joining us for the first issue of The Advocates Corner. This is just the beginning of a movement to ensure dental care becomes truly patient-centered.
Please share this newsletter with friends, family, and colleagues who may benefit. Together, we can build a world where every smile is protected, valued, and cared for.
With gratitude, The NDAP Team
