“Three Things You Missed in Government This Week” is designed to offer a way to stay informed on the topics of the week. These brief updates are meant to offer brief details on legislative or regulatory topics to keep dentists … Read More
The potential consequences of eliminating the adult Medicaid dental benefit are highlighted in a research brief the ADA Health Policy Institute released March 21. Several committees in the House of Representatives have proposed reduced federal spending for Medicaid, including the … Read More
WASHINGTON— Today, Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson and Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) introduced the bipartisan Action for Dental Health Act for reauthorization. This bill will continue support to organizations that provide oral health care to underserved populations, especially seniors and children … Read More
In most cases, your health insurance must cover a list of certain services such as cancer screenings even if you get it from your employer. The proposed Texas House Bill 139 could remove that requirement and let a company provide … Read More
Dental industry leaders are grappling with how to bring more professionals into the workforce as states continue to deal with shortages exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are 10 fast facts about where the dental workforce stands now, and where … Read More
Like other Canadians, dentists are grappling with uncertainty as the Trump administration plans to impose a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian imports, effective April 2, following the previously enacted 10 per cent tariffs on Chinese-origin goods. Clifford Sosnow, chair … Read More
Medicaid is the primary program providing comprehensive coverage of health and long-term care to 83 million low-income people in the United States and accounts for one-fifth of health care spending. Medicaid is jointly financed by states and the federal government … Read More
Dozens of dentists and dental students stood behind Assemblymember Matt Haney, D-San Francisco, during a press conference this week in Sacramento to show their support for a bill intended to enhance dental care accessibility and prohibit dental insurance companies from … Read More
State legislators and dental organizations are pushing for increased dental coverage and workforce support for Medicaid programs. Here are five updates to know: 1. A bill proposed in the Florida Senate would expand dental services for Medicaid recipients and raise … Read More
Over the past year, data from DSO DataCONNECT shows a notable shift in the dental industry: the percentage of general dentists affiliated with Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) and group practices (3 or more locations) has increased from 24% to 27%. … Read More
Anthem’s Essential Choice PPO Platinum is our top pick because of its ample benefits. The Platinum plan also pays a higher percentage of dental costs compared to many competitors. We also rate Anthem’s Essential Choice PPO Gold and Silver plans … Read More
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a budget resolution calling for an $880 billion reduction over 10 years, a move that the Congressional Budget Office says is impossible without significant cuts to Medicaid and other essential health programs. As … Read More
Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Healthcare Program Enforcement Division has secured $40 million for the State of Texas by settling an enforcement action brought under the Texas Health Care Program Fraud Prevention Act (“THFPA”) against Molina Healthcare of Texas, Inc. and … Read More
The ADA, alongside more than 70 organizations, is urging congressional leaders to protect and preserve the Medicaid program. The Association joined a letter led by FamiliesUSA, a consumer health advocacy organization, that highlights the critical role the program plays in … Read More
Texas A&M University researchers Dr. Yuxiao Zhou, assistant professor in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Dr. Jaesung Lee, assistant professor in the Wm Michael Barnes ’64 Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, have been awarded … Read More
Dental practice owners are bracing for potential price increases for supplies and equipment as part of President Donald Trump’s tariff plan. President Trump’s 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada went into effect March 4, but they were later … Read More
A federal bill reintroduced March 10 in the U.S. House of Representatives would extend funding to address access to care and dental workforce-related issues. ADA leaders are expressing support for the Action for Dental Health Act of 2025, which would … Read More
A coalition of organizations representing clinicians, providers and health care stakeholders, including the ADA, sent a letter Feb. 17 expressing unified opposition to the proposed Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Security Rule. The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives … Read More
When Alpena’s Jan Prentice had two painfully cracked and infected teeth, it took her four months to find a dentist — 40 minutes away — who accepted her insurance and could take new patients. When she got home from having … Read More
ississippi and West Virginia are the states that receive the most federal assistance for Medicaid, as shown by data from the health policy research center Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). Newsweek has contacted the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid via email … Read More
Championing women in dentistry has been an important area of action for Dentsply Sirona for many years and a cornerstone of Dentsply Sirona’s sustainability strategy, “BEYOND: Taking Action for a Brighter World.” As a result, the company once again wholeheartedly … Read More
A group of dental professionals in Nebraska held a press conference March 5 to voice their support for a bill that would establish a medical loss ratio for dental insurers in the state, KSNB reported. Up to 40% of insurance … Read More
ADA leaders emphasized their support for community water fluoridation, expansion of Medicaid adult dental coverage and the independence of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research in a comprehensive letter to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., secretary of the U.S. … Read More
The American Dental Association is urging Congress to support dental coverage programs and workforce development initiatives. The ADA joined more than two dozen state and national organizations in signing a March 3 letter that asks lawmakers to strengthen the Medicaid … Read More
The ADA is calling on Congress to strengthen Medicare Advantage transparency, address dental workforce shortages and expand dental coverage options in a Feb. 25 letter to the House Ways and Means Committee. In the letter, submitted following the committee’s “Modernizing … Read More
There are 840 general dentists in New Mexico, the state with the highest percentage of residents covered by Medicaid and the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program. More than 20% of U.S. residents are enrolled in Medicaid, according to data compiled … Read More
Democrats said the bill helps take care of vulnerable Floridians who are missing out on routine dental care. Sen. Shevrin Jones’ SMILES Act would expand dental care services for people on Medicaid. “The impact our dental care legislation could make … Read More
It’s that time of the year again—Dental Assistants Recognition Week (DARW) 2025 is here! Organized by the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) and celebrated annually in the first week of March, this special week recognizes the dedication and hard work … Read More
AUSTIN – “A fundamental American value is the freedom of choice. This is why I call on Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Legislature to prioritize a statewide ban on non-water additives, such as fluoride, in our public water. While … Read More
The American Association of Dental Boards (AADB) is pleased to announce that seven states—Oklahoma, Missouri, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Texas, and now Kentucky—are taking a significant step toward improving workforce mobility by introducing legislation to join the Interstate Dental & Dental … Read More
HOUSTON — Almost 1 million Texas children and teens went without health insurance at some point over the most recent year recorded. Many of them live in Houston, which has a higher rate of uninsured children than any other major … Read More
Several community health centers in Connecticut are cutting back on dental care — or eliminating it entirely — due to insufficient Medicaid reimbursement rates, officials there said Monday. These decisions come as Connecticut’s legislature weighs additional money for Medicaid, following … Read More
The American Dental Association has added to its code of ethics and conduct to address concerns with social media and influencers. Updates to the ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct for 2025 tackle the ethical concerns with … Read More
A bill has been introduced in the House of Representative that aims to lower the cost of dental care. The Dental and Optometric Care Access Act tackles increased consolidation and integration of dental insurance providers, which leads to higher prices, … Read More
Arizona legislators are currently considering a bill that would enter the state into the Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact. The compact increases license portability across member states for dentists and hygienists, removing the need for dental professionals to gain a … Read More
A federal judge in Texas reversed a previously issued injunction of the filing requirements of the Corporate Transparency Act, according to a Feb. 20 release from the American Dental Association. Here are five things to know: 1. Most businesses now … Read More
In February 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States handed down its decision in North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners v. FTC (NC Dental). The case centered on the actions of the North Carolina licensing board for dentists. That … Read More
A new bill was introduced Feb. 11 that would increase access to certain oral care items that can be purchased with flexible spending account and health savings account funds. The Oral Health Products Inclusion Act, was introduced in the House … Read More
With over two decades of operation, the Texas-based Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry Frisco is continuing its mission to make high-quality dental care just a bit more fun and much less daunting. Launched in 2002, the practice now expands to three physical … Read More
The California Dental Association highlighted updates and changes to the Dental Practice Act, affecting dental permits, dental practice staffing and dental assistant scope of practice, according to a Feb. 19 news release from the organization. Here are six things for … Read More
