The dental industry is facing a variety of challenges straining the workforce, but positive developments from the last few months are giving practice owners and DSO executives hope for a brighter future. Here are eight updates leading to optimism and … Read More
HHSC names key leadership appointments to lead the agency’s Chief Counsel Division, and guide Texas Medicaid and CHIP Services. Nycia Deal will serve as chief counsel for HHSC, effective Sept. 1, moving into the position previously held by Karen Ray. … Read More
Nearly 80% of dental school graduates take out loans to pay for dental school, according to data from the Education Data Initiative. The Education Data Initiative provides information on dental school costs and debt in the U.S. Data shows that … Read More
On-the-job training can be overwhelming for both dental assistants and practices, but a new online course is here to help prepare assistants for their first day. On July 6, the American Dental Association and Immersify — an artificial intelligence-powered learning … Read More
Massachusetts legislators have sent Gov. Maura Healey a new budget that includes a higher cap on Medicaid dental services than previously proposed, WBUR reported July 1. Five notes: 1. Earlier this year, Gov. Healey proposed implementing a $1,000 annual cap … Read More
Across Illinois, people on Medicaid are finding out the hard way that having dental coverage is not the same thing as getting an appointment. As dentists retire or quietly stop taking public insurance, routine cleanings and even urgent procedures are … Read More
Nevada has expanded its dental coverage for adult Medicaid recipients, 2 News Nevada reported July 1. The expansion gives more than 374,500 patients coverage for preventative and diagnostic services for the first time, including cleanings, fillings and exams. Adult recipients … Read More
The ADA Health Policy Institute has launched a new series of articles that provide concise but detailed analyses of key trends impacting the dental market. HPI Perspectives leverages the latest data from HPI and other sources to offer insights on … Read More
Federal investments through two U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) programs — the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) and Teaching Health Center Planning and Development (THCPD) programs — are funding community-based dental residency programs designed to recruit … Read More
This month, dental professionals spoke with Becker’s about leadership, economic challenges, workforce shortages and more. Here is what seven dental professionals told us in June: The decisions dental leaders can’t afford to get wrong Hamza Asumah, MD. Director, Operations of … Read More
Large numbers of children — including nearly 191,000 in Texas — are dropping off the Medicaid rolls, even though Congress’ Medicaid overhaul didn’t change kids’ eligibility. Why it matters: Children without insurance are less likely to receive checkups, preventive care … Read More
Texas will recover nearly $34 million from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP under a settlement resolving allegations that the drugmaker used an illegal kickback scheme to influence prescriptions covered by the state’s Medicaid program. The settlement requires AstraZeneca to pay $33,998,000 to … Read More
The history of dental standards in the U.S. dates back to World War I, when the military needed to buy large quantities of dental materials to address the “woeful state of soldiers’ teeth.” In 1917, the surgeon general of the … Read More
As exciting as going to university may be, it can be expensive — more so for those studying medicine and dentistry. Enrolment in dental school has never been higher. During the 2025–26 academic year, 28,925 students were enrolled in predoctoral … Read More
The ADA released a report summarizing results from a two-year, six-state pilot aimed at increasing dentist participation in Medicaid and expanding access to oral healthcare for beneficiaries. The report, “Increasing Medicaid Participation in Dentistry: A Blueprint from a Six-State Pilot … Read More
A large number of dental employees have either recently changed jobs or are considering changing jobs in search of higher pay and more benefits. But rising labor costs are putting a strain on dental practice owners already struggling with financial … Read More
Partnership Health Center, a network of community health clinics in Montana, will end dental services at Seeley-Swan Medical Center due to financial challenges, KPAX reported June 23. The group recently sent a letter to patients stating dental care will no … Read More
The ADA is backing legislation that would help establish and expand primary care team education centers, citing the need to strengthen the dental workforce and improve access to care in underserved communities. In a June 23 letter to Sen. Tim … Read More
Nearly 10 million Americans have traveled outside the U.S. for dental care, according to a report from CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, and as federal Medicaid cuts and coverage rollbacks shrink access to affordable dental services, that number will grow … Read More
Congressman Craig Goldman (R-TX-12) introduced the Better Care, Better Cost Act last week, which he told The Texan “creates market incentives for health insurance companies to improve patient care and reduce costs.” Co-sponsored by Congressman August Pfluger (R-TX-11), House Bill … Read More
The Harvard School of Dental Medicine will transfer its Cambridge dental center to a private owner and discontinue its Faculty Group Practice due to financial challenges, The Harvard Crimson reported. HSDM permanently closed the Harvard Dental Center in Cambridge in … Read More
Here are seven new statistics on oral healthcare, dental care accessibility and patient behavior: 1. Medical debt is associated with deferred dental care regardless of insurance coverage, according to a study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health … Read More
MCNA Dental has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit stemming from a 2023 LockBit ransomware attack that affected nearly 9 million people. The LockBit group gained access to MCNA’s network Feb. 22, 2023, and maintained access through March 7, 2023. … Read More
Proposed changes to Medicaid eligibility could result in 480,000 U.S. children losing dental coverage each year through 2034, generating nearly $87 million in additional healthcare costs over a decade, according to a new study by researchers at the Harvard School … Read More
SPRING, Texas – For Dr. Parthiv Mehta, dentistry is about more than treating patients. As he told 2 Helps You, it’s about giving back to the community he considers family. As the owner of Charm Dental, he is preparing for … Read More
The U.S. needs 12,715 dental practitioners to fill existing shortage areas, according to new data from the Health Resources and Services Administration. The HRSA updated its dashboard showcasing data on health professional shortages June 11. Five dental notes from the … Read More
According to data from the American Dental Association, first-year enrollment in dental hygiene programs has climbed 16% since 2020, and 2025 produced the highest number of dental hygiene graduates at nearly 8,000. More than 90% of dentists who have actively … Read More
Isabel Flores used to have nightmares about her teeth falling out when she was young. To this day, the 56-year-old Arizonian does her best to take care of her teeth to prevent that from happening. But her teeth are very … Read More
Parker Family Health Center, Brookdale Community College and the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners recently opened New Jersey’s first free dental clinic in Lincroft. The clinic provides free dental services to low-income and uninsured residents, including preventive care, cleanings, fillings, … Read More
The American Dental Association released a report showing that a pilot program increased dentist participation in Medicaid and expanded access to oral health care for beneficiaries, according to a June 16 news release from the ADA. As of 2024, about … Read More
State dental associations, including the New York State Dental Association (NYSDA), are raising concerns about Medicaid provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA) that are on track to significantly reduce adult dental benefits. OBBA imposes new work requirements … Read More
BOSTON, MA – June 16, 2026 – A startling new report from the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health has put a number on a trend many have long suspected: nearly 9.6 million American adults have traveled outside the United States … Read More
A new ADA report demonstrates that collaboration among state dental associations, Medicaid agencies, managed care organizations, oral health coalitions and other stakeholders can help increase dentist participation in Medicaid and expand access to oral health care for beneficiaries. The report, … Read More
BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–A new report from CareQuest Institute for Oral Health® reveals that roughly 4% of adults — nearly 9.6 million people — have pursued dental care abroad at some point, most often to access lower-cost treatment, highlighting affordability gaps and … Read More
DES MOINES, Iowa — Delta Dental of Iowa and DentaQuest will begin providing dental coverage for Iowa Medicaid members under a new contract. On Aug. 15, 2025, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services announced plans to award contracts … Read More
On May 13, Vice President Vance, the chair of the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, held a press conference. He announced the deferral of $1.3 billion in federal Medicaid matching payments owed to California, which received considerable attention. … Read More
Dive Insight: Medicaid waivers, called section 1115 demonstrations, allow states more flexibility to experiment with care delivery in the safety-net insurance program. Almost every state uses a demonstration waiver, while some states have multiple active waivers. The waivers have allowed … Read More
Although the majority of Americans care about their oral health, only 3% associate it with their overall well-being, according to a new study from P&G and the American Academy of Family Physicians. The two organizations surveyed more than 2,000 adults … Read More
cottsdale, Ariz.-based Imagen Dental Partners recently added a Texas dental practice to its network. The dental partnership organization affiliated with Cosmetic Smiles in Houston, according to a June 1 news release. The practice, which provides cosmetic, family and prosthetic dentistry, … Read More
The ADA is urging House lawmakers to pursue health care transparency policies that strengthen accountability for insurers and Medicare Advantage plans and improve the patient experience, while avoiding requirements that it says are ill-suited to dental practices. In a letter … Read More
