Texas’ already-strained health care system is bracing for deeper challenges when federal Affordable Care Act and Medicaid cuts go into effect as soon as next year, bringing fears of hospital closures, longer wait times and negative health outcomes. But in … Read More
Several bills have been introduced to Congress this year to expand access to dental care and enhance insurance coverage. Here are seven pieces of legislation to know: 1. The Protect Our Treatment for Enamel, Erosion and Tooth Health Act, or … Read More
As Congress examines the future of the Medicare Advantage program, ADA leaders are calling for targeted reforms to ensure that seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans receive meaningful access to dental care. In a July 22 letter to congressional subcommittees … Read More
Staffing shortages have become one of the greatest challenges facing the dental industry, and there currently seems to be no end in sight. Dental practices have consistently found dental assistants and hygienists two of the most challenging roles to recruit … Read More
The CMS Innovation Center plans to hire a string of new employees as it plans to roll out several new payment models. The move comes four months after HHS, CMS’ parent department, cut about 5% of the agency’s workforce, Politico … Read More
Artificial intelligence is already reshaping diagnostics in dentistry, but researchers at UT Health San Antonio and the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) are now exploring how AI could help evaluate and optimize dental composite materials. Their goal: to … Read More
WASHINGTON — Up to 1.7 million Texans are expected to lose their health insurance through coming changes to the Affordable Care Act marketplace under Republicans’ tax and spending megabill, according to an analysis by health policy experts — a serious … Read More
Several dental practices and clinics have shut down this year due to financial constraints as the industry battles inflation, increased wage demands and other economic pressures. Here are five dental offices that have closed down this year due to financial … Read More
Operation Smile, a global nonprofit deeply committed to closing the gap in surgical and health care access, announced today that for the fifth year, Align Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALGN), a leading global medical device company that designs, manufactures, and sells … Read More
The ADA submitted formal recommendations to the Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, in response to its request for information on reducing regulatory burdens in health care. In a July 14 letter to Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., … Read More
The dental economy could experience additional headwinds in the coming months, according to a new report from the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute. The ADA’s “State of the U.S. Dental Economy” report for the second quarter of 2025 shows … Read More
ADA leaders are urging lawmakers to reauthorize and invest in federal dental workforce programs, citing their critical role in expanding access to oral health care — particularly in rural and underserved communities. In a July 15 letter to the House … Read More
Here are seven federal government and policy updates from the last 30 days: 1. The American Dental Hygienists’ Association said the newly enacted federal budget could lead states to remove dental benefits from Medicaid. 2. The Association for Dental Safety … Read More
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., has introduced legislation to roll back some of the Medicaid changes that he had voted for in the recently signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Five things to know: 1. Mr. Hawley’s bill would repeal the … Read More
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — At the La Tiendita food pantry, ABC13 met Moses. Wheelchair-bound for 40 years, he’s confused about what the new law means for him. “Taking Medicaid away,” he told ABC13. “All the assistance we get, it’s going … Read More
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — At the La Tiendita food pantry, ABC13 met Moses. Wheelchair-bound for 40 years, he’s confused about what the new law means for him. “Taking Medicaid away,” he told ABC13. “All the assistance we get, it’s going … Read More
MetLife has agreed to change its recoupment policy after the American Dental Association sent a letter in April seeking clarification of its practices. The ADA had received reports of the insurance company reducing, or “offsetting,” payments owed to dentists to … Read More
Dental Group Orthodontics in Dumas, Texas, will permanently close its doors Aug. 5. The practice announced the closure in a Facebook post, recommending that patients continue their care at its office in Amarillo, Texas. A reason for the closure was … Read More
September 29 – 30, 2025 // Hyatt Regency, Chicago Why Attend ENGAGE, NETWORK AND LEARN Dental care has been elevated as one of the most important aspects of whole-person care and digital technology is improving patient outcomes. Both large and … Read More
Dental industry leaders are preparing for what may be some harsh consequences of the recently enacted federal budget bill. President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act July 4. The bill is expected to increase the national debt … Read More
Getting braces is a rite of passage for many children and some adults, but it can strain families’ budgets. Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas offers lower cost orthodontic treatment for children, teens and adults, and spots are … Read More
The American Dental Association has released its latest edition of “Fluoridation Facts” to help combat fluoride misinformation. The free e-book highlights 80 years of research and practical experience that support community water fluoridation. With a Q&A format, the guide details … Read More
The Association for Dental Safety has launched a new organization to provide clinical guidelines and best practices after the CDC’s oral health division was eliminated in a round of federal layoffs. The CDC’s oral health division was shuttered earlier this … Read More
Sen. Angela Alsobrooks has introduced a bill that would expand coverage of dental, hearing and vision care under Medicare and Medicaid. Four notes: 1. The Medicare and Medicaid Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2025 would require Medicare to … Read More
As dental suppliers learn to adapt to price fluctuations brought on by ongoing tariffs, dental practices may also have to make some changes to remain successful. Jeff Cellucci, chief strategy officer at MB2 Dental, recently spoke with Becker’s to discuss … Read More
U.S. medical supply manufacturers are voicing support for the newly passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which includes a series of tax and trade measures aimed at boosting domestic production of personal protective equipment and other medical supplies. The legislation … Read More
Not long ago, Dr. Suzanne Fournier saw a 16-year-old patient with a swollen face and difficulty breathing. Fournier, a dentist who practices at an urban hospital in Louisiana, had to extract six of the teen’s teeth; he was eventually intubated … Read More
Supporters of sweeping tax and spending legislation sent to President Donald Trump say changes to Medicaid, food aid, and other programs will encourage personal responsibility and stop system abuse. In Texas, Medicaid covers a third of all children, half of … Read More
The Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare, the health care industry alliance better known as CAQH, is calling for dental providers to participate in the 2025 CAQH Index. The CAQH Index is the only industry benchmarking tool that tracks and reports … Read More
July 3, 2025 (Boston, MA) –CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, a leading national nonprofit focused on creating a more accessible, equitable, and integrated oral health system, today issued a statement regarding the passage of a tax and spending package that … Read More
California, Florida, Pennsylvania and Texas saw the most DSO activity during the second quarter of 2025. Becker’s recently compiled a list of more than 60 DSO affiliations, openings and acquisitions during the second quarter. Here is how DSOs expanded in … Read More
A legislative proposal put forward by the North Carolina state Senate that would open the door for hedge funds and private equity firms to acquire, open and operate dental practices not run by licensed dentists in North Carolina has hit … Read More
About a year and a half ago, I started temping at Lindquist Dental Clinic for Children in Pierce County. I told the dental director, Dr. Stephens, “I don’t really like kids,” half-joking, half-honest. She smiled and said, “Just try it.” … Read More
Unity Clinic of Texas began seeing patients in Leander in late June. The volunteer-run nonprofit clinic provides free medical and dental services to low-income, uninsured or underinsured Williamson County residents. The clinic is open from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday and … Read More
“Three Things You Missed in Government This Week” is designed to offer a way to stay informed on the topics of the week. These updates are meant to offer brief details on legislative or regulatory topics to keep dentists engaged … Read More
Registration is open for SmileCon 2025, which will bring dentists together Oct. 23-25 in the nation’s capital to enhance their teams’ capabilities, transform their practices and stay ahead in an ever-evolving industry. “I’m thrilled to welcome you to SmileCon 2025 … Read More
Medicaid ensures 80 million Americans, and over 500,000 West Virginians, have access to health care. Importantly, Medicaid is also a core source of oral health care coverage for families across the country, which is critical to ensuring overall health and … Read More
A local nonprofit is hoping to raise awareness in the month of June for kids to stay on top of their dental hygiene health. Community Smiles Dental is a nonprofit that serves kids and those with special needs who rely … Read More
The Pennsylvania Senate Majority Policy Committee recently held a hearing to discuss the lack of access to dental care in rural Pennsylvania, the Franklin County Free Press reported June 20. Six notes: 1. The hearing, held June 18, included testimony … Read More
The Des Moines Area Community College received a $250,000 grant to construct a new facility for its dental programs. The school will build a 26,000-square-foot building on its Ankeny, Iowa, campus. The facility will include simulation labs, classrooms, a student … Read More
