Media

A new Wisconsin rule would bar many dentists from telling patients, or even implying, that they specialize in certain fields. Why It Matters The rule tells dentists they cannot call themselves a “specialist” unless a private group in Chicago—the American … Read More

DentaQuest, an administrator of dental benefits, is actively managing a cybersecurity incident. A limited portion of the company’s network was accessed by an unauthorized party. DentaQuest’s systems remain fully operational, according to a June 1 notice from DentaQuest. DentaQuest is … Read More

The federal House Committee on Energy and Commerce voted to advance a bill that would reauthorize a dental workforce grant program. HR 2001 aims to expand education, training and recruitment efforts for the dental workforce, particularly in rural and underserved … Read More

Dentists filed class-action lawsuits against Delta Dental organizations in California, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Massachusetts on April 30, alleging anticompetitive conduct that suppressed reimbursement rates and limited competition in dental insurance markets. The state filings follow a September 2025 federal ruling … Read More

Federal investments in community-based residency training programs are helping drive a powerful response to the nation’s dental workforce shortages, creating new pathways to care in rural and underserved communities that need it most. Through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s … Read More

The number of uninsured young children in Texas has risen in recent years, according to a new report from Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families. Georgetown CCF, a prominent nonpartisan health policy research organization, used data from the 2024 … Read More

KILLEEN, Texas (KWTX) – Uninsured children in Killeen received free dental care as Topaz Dental & Braces opened its doors for its annual Sharing Smiles Day. Dr. Afiya Tamkeen volunteered her Sunday to help families who might otherwise go without … Read More

Sixty uninsured and underinsured adults from El Paso 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 dental students under the … Read More

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the leading authority on children’s oral health, will celebrate the 2026 winners of its prestigious member recognition awards during the Academy’s Annual Meeting, AAPD 2026, in Las Vegas from May 22-24. The 2026 … Read More

The ADA Forsyth Institute ranked first in National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research funding to U.S. dental institutions in fiscal year 2025 after being awarded more than $11.8 million in grants. This is the first time since 2010 that … Read More

The ADA expressed support for federal legislation intended to strengthen oversight and enforcement of Medicare Advantage supplemental dental benefits. In a May 26 letter to the bill’s sponsor Rep. Troy Downing, R-Mont., the ADA endorsed the Protecting Authority and Restoring … Read More

There are currently nearly 5,000 oral and maxillofacial surgeons employed in the U.S., according to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The agency updated its employment data May 15 to reflect 2025 information. Four statistics on the oral … Read More

So Texas Republicans have, by a huge margin, rejected Sen. John Cornyn, a hardline conservative whose great failing, from Donald Trump’s point of view, was that he occasionally took stands on principle. To replace him they chose the scandal-ridden, deeply … Read More

There are currently 387,790 dental assistants employed in the U.S., according to new data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The agency updated its employment data May 15 to reflect 2025 information. Here are the number of dental assistants … Read More

Washington and California are among the highest-paying states for dental hygienists in 2026, according to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The agency updated its salary data May 15 to reflect 2025 information. Here are 10 states with … Read More

Oral health professionals across the Houston metropolitan area are increasingly recognizing the value of an integrated care model – one in which general dentists and periodontal specialists work hand-in-hand to deliver more comprehensive, effective outcomes for patients. At the forefront … Read More

When it comes to health benefits, more attention has always been given to medical, compared with dental and vision. And yet, there is a growing recognition that oral health is closely correlated with overall health, even though dental and vision … Read More

A new study published in JAMA Network Open projects that pediatric Medicaid coverage losses could lead to worsening oral health outcomes and higher health care costs, reinforcing longstanding concerns from organized dentistry about the consequences of disruptions in dental coverage … Read More

Here are six trends and statistics showcasing how private practice dentistry is evolving: 1. Increased competition from DSOs has led dentists to rethink their approach to private practice to optimize success, including taking advantage of opportunities to enhance patient care … Read More

Newswise — EL PASO, Texas — For Carolina Mendez, M.D., graduating from the Foster School of Medicine represents the fulfillment of a dream shaped by personal loss, and her commitment to serving the Borderplex. The El Paso native became the … Read More

A Plainview dentist was elected to the Texas Dental Association board of directors. Dr. Georgia Mitchell, who owns and practices dentistry at Plainview West Texas Dental Associates, was chosen to serve on the Texas Dental Association board of directors, a … Read More

The ADA is urging dentists to contact members of Congress in support of federal legislation aimed at closing what the Association describes as an “ERISA loophole” affecting dental insurance reform laws. In a May 19 Grassroots Alert sent to ADA … Read More

Increased competition from DSOs has led dentists to rethink their approach to private practice to optimize success, including taking advantage of opportunities to enhance patient care and reduce operational inefficiencies. Dentists are facing compounding challenges that have led some to … Read More

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