The dental workforce, especially dental hygienists and dental assistants, continues to be a thorn in the side of DSOs and dental practices. Here are 10 staffing and workforce stats concerning the industry: Around two-thirds of dental hygienists, dental assistants and … Read More
Here are five statistics Becker’s has reported on in recent months that could lead to future roadblocks in the dental industry: 1. Around two-thirds of dental hygienists, dental assistants and associate dentists are unsatisfied with their compensation and benefits, according … Read More
WEST FRANKFORT, Ill. (WSIL) — Families across southern Illinois will have an opportunity to help kids keep their smiles bright this summer during a series of free dental clinics offered through the SIU Dental Sealant Grant Program. The clinics are … Read More
Dentist Dr. Tara Prasad thinks a lot about the logistics of homelessness — how difficult it is to brush your teeth when you don’t have a place to store a toothbrush, or how to protect a life-changing set of dentures … Read More
Dentists have filed class-action lawsuits against Delta Dental in four states, alleging that the organization engaged in conduct that suppressed reimbursement rates and limited competition in the insurance market. Four notes: 1. The lawsuits — filed April 30 in California, … Read More
UVALDE, Texas – A new pathway into the dental workforce is now underway in Uvalde as Southwest Texas College launched its inaugural Dental Assistant Program class on May 11. On May 14, Southwest Texas College said the 167-hour, hands-on training … Read More
The ADA News’ “Dear ADA” series is coming to dentists live through free, virtual seminars hosted by the American Dental Association. The seminars will kick off with “Dear ADA Live: Navigating Contracts, Coverage, and Care with ADA Experts” at 5 … Read More
Vice President J.D. Vance said that the White House is withholding $1.3 billion in federal Medicaid reimbursements to California, alleging that the state is not taking Medicaid fraud “seriously,” NBC News reported May 13. CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz, MD, said … Read More
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed legislation that makes several changes to the practice of dentistry in order to increase access for patients. Among its changes, House Bill 3934 expands the list of recognized accrediting agencies to include the American Dental … Read More
OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill increasing the services dental assistants and hygienists are allowed to perform for patients has been signed into law by the governor. Rep. David Smith, R-Arpelar, is the author of House Bill 3934. The measure also … Read More
More than 40,000 pregnant people in Texas waited more than a month for the state to process their Medicaid applications – which an advocacy group said could delay vital prenatal care. Texans Care for Children recently released data it received … Read More
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — Lawmakers in Louisiana are considering a bill to require Medicaid to cover dental procedures for certain enrollees. Louisiana bill to add 13 opioids to controlled substances list House Bill 222, introduced by Representative Stephanie H. Berault, … Read More
EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Texas Tech is expanding its dental program in El Paso by adding a master’s in dentistry with a specialization in orthodontics, an effort officials said is aimed at bringing more specialized dental care to the … Read More
Scientists have uncovered a surprising way to influence the bacteria living in our mouths — not by killing them, but by interrupting how they “talk” to each other. Researchers found that dental plaque bacteria use chemical signals to coordinate growth, … Read More
When Dr. Anamaria Castillo, a board-certified periodontist, sees a new patient walk through her door after years or sometimes decades of avoiding care, she said the first thing she notices isn’t their teeth. It’s the look on their face. According … Read More
With the deadline fast approaching for certain dental practices to ensure their websites and other digital tools are accessible to people with disabilities to comply with an updated federal regulation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for … Read More
Dental care is now firmly recognized as a cornerstone of whole-person health, and digital tools are reshaping how practices prevent disease, engage patients, and deliver better outcomes. As both large and emerging DSOs expand alongside resilient independent practices, investment and … Read More
Alamo City Orthodontics is relocating into a new 6,000-square-foot facility in San Antonio. The new center includes expanded treatment areas and advanced diagnostic tools, according to a May 7 news release from the practice. In addition to its orthodontic services, … Read More
The American Dental Association is seeking input from dental stakeholders on a proposed Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rule on interoperability standards and prior authorization for drugs. The ADA will host a call from 3-4:30 p.m. CDT May 21 … Read More
If you participate in Texas Medicaid, be aware: The Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has intensified its Medicaid fraud enforcement efforts in recent months. At the same time, the federal government is pushing states to audit all Medicaid … Read More
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has signed legislation that expands opportunities for dental school faculty. House bill 2163 allows dentists with a restricted faculty license to practice at clinical facilities owned and operated by a dental school or an affiliated nonprofit … Read More
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Missouri regulators say a major national vendor is stonewalling their investigation into a cybersecurity breach that could affect millions of consumers. The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance now says it is escalating its response … Read More
When Alicia Dieckhoff’s 7-year-old son cracked his tooth in February and cried in pain, she wanted to take him to a dentist. When Dieckhoff had her own aching tooth infection, she wanted to go to the dentist. But none of … Read More
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association issued an updated position statement on the dental hygiene workforce shortage, suggesting that it is “retention” rather than a “supply” crisis. Here are four notes: The ADHA has pushed back against recent proposals from other … Read More
Students sometimes camp out days in advance to secure spots for Duke basketball games, with an opportunity for free dental care creating a similar phenomenon in Mount Airy. “We had our first patient in line Friday night around nine o’clock,” … Read More
New York regulators have fined Delta Dental $2.25 million after finding the company failed to adequately protect sensitive personal information in a cybersecurity breach that exposed data belonging to New Yorkers. The settlement, announced by the state Department of Financial … Read More
Sixty uninsured and underinsured adults age 60 and older received free dental screenings and cleanings at the Texas Tech Dental Oral Health Clinic during the annual WellMed Screen & Clean event, provided by supervised dental students. The event in March … Read More
Reimbursement rates Although several states have increased reimbursement rates for dental services, they are still not enough to keep up with the pace of inflation, according to data from the American Dental Association. The ADA reported that reimbursement rates increased … Read More
The Organized Dentistry Coalition, or ODC, representing multiple national dental organizations including the ADA, is calling for continued support of federal oral health programs within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The coalition sent a letter April 30 … Read More
The ADA is calling on the Federal Trade Commission to more closely examine competition and transparency in dental insurance as the agency’s Healthcare Task Force begins its work. The FTC launched the Healthcare Task Force in March to coordinate the … Read More
Insurance companies have been employing a number of strategies to delay prior authorizations and payments to dental practices, which can put financial strain on providers. From inconsistent responses to claiming to have never received documentation to dragging out payment, dentists … Read More
Programming at the ADA 2026 Scientific Session will reflect real clinical challenges dentists are navigating in their practices today, helping to provide clarity where evidence and guidance are evolving. “Continuing education at the Scientific Session will be structured around practical … Read More
The Trump administration will require all 50 states to explain their plans to revalidate some of their Medicaid providers in a national escalation of anti-fraud efforts that have so far largely focused on specific states, Dr. Mehmet Oz said Tuesday. … Read More
April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, and the latest action guide from the National HPV Vaccination Roundtable outlines steps dentists can take to increase HPV vaccination and help prevent oropharyngeal cancer. Published in January, Cancer Prevention Through HPV Vaccination: An … Read More
The global mobile dentistry market is projected to reach $849.5 million by 2035, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 7.7% from its 2025 valuation of $402.9 million, according to a new report from Allied Market Research. The market’s … Read More
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed two dental workforce bills into law, backed by the Virginia Dental Association and the ADA, that take effect July 1. The first law allows internationally trained dentists to pursue dental hygiene licensure in Virginia. The … Read More
he line began forming, almost inconceivably, at 11 Wednesday morning, 18 hours before doors would open. By 9 p.m., 40 people were waiting. By midnight, the queue wrapped all the way around Fisher Pavilion, the Seattle Center banquet hall. Hundreds … Read More
For many people, the best countries for dental work come down to one thing: getting high quality dental care at a lower cost. This is why dental tourism has grown as part of the global medical tourism market. From dental … Read More
Dentists are facing compounding factors fueling financial troubles for their practices this year. Five notes: 1. Although several states have increased reimbursement rates for dental services, they are still not enough to keep up with the pace of inflation, according … Read More
Dental industry job growth has remained nearly flat over the past year, according to the ADA’s (ADA) first-quarter 2026 economic report. The report, which tracks employment data, consumer dental spending, and staffing trends, shows that overall U.S. job growth slowed … Read More
