Legislation funds oral health training, dental research programs
President Joe Biden signed a $1.2 trillion spending bill into law March 23 that will fund the government through Sept. 30, finalizing the overdue second tranche of bills and avoiding the threat of a shutdown. The legislation includes funding for dental-related programs that address access to care, oral health literacy, dental research and workforce development.
“The bipartisan funding bill I just signed keeps the government open, invests in the American people, and strengthens our economy and national security. This agreement represents a compromise, which means neither side got everything it wanted,” Mr. Biden said in a statement.
Due to the difficult budgetary climate and limits placed on discretionary spending, most recently approved oral health programs were funded at the fiscal year 2023 level, except military dental research. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Oral Health was given $20 million, the Health Resources and Services Administration’s oral health training programs were funded at $42 million, the oral health literacy campaign was given $300,000, and the Ryan White Dental Program was given $13.6 million — all the same amount as last year.
Source: President Biden signs $1.2T spending bill into law / ADA News