Dentist Day is observed on March 6, and Dentist Day 2026 offers an important opportunity to recognize the professionals who work tirelessly to protect our oral health. Dentists do far more than fix teeth — they play a crucial role … Read More
As states begin budget debates for state fiscal year (FY) 2027, many states are facing a more tenuous fiscal climate. Slowing revenue growth and heightened spending demands coupled with anticipated federal Medicaid cuts under the 2025 reconciliation law, changes to … Read More
Thirteen percent of dentists recently reported to the ADA that they will likely sell or consider closing their practice this year. The ADA released its “Economic Outlook and Emerging Issues in Dentistry” report for the fourth quarter of 2025, highlighting … Read More
DALLAS (KDAF) — Texas residents spend slightly above the U.S. average on dental care, according to new analysis by Thorncrest Dental. The report found that residents annual spending on dental care averages $397, comprising 3.30% of their total expenditures. This … Read More
Each February, National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM) brings thousands of dedicated professionals, healthcare providers, and educators together to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, teachers and others. Extending the 2025 theme, NCDHM resources celebrate … Read More
Insurance issues, the workforce shortage and increasing costs are some of dentists’ top concerns for their practices at the start of 2026, according to a survey from the American Dental Association. More than half of respondents said low insurance reimbursements … Read More
Newswise — EL PASO, Texas — People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in our Borderplex often face financial challenges and limited access to providers when trying to get the dental care they deserve. To help address this need, the … Read More
Faculty shortages in dental schools may be threatening institutional stability and student success, underscoring the need for targeted retention strategies. The study was published recently in the Journal of Dental Education. Strategies such as inclusive cultures, fair compensation, and leadership … Read More
Gov. Greg Abbott is directing state officials to investigate Medicaid fraud in Texas. Abbott sent a letter on January 16, ordering the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and the Office of Inspector General to launch an investigation into Medicaid … Read More
Ahead of the unveiling of the 2026-2027 state budget, more than 50 groups have joined together in support of preserving essential dental care across the state. Last year, lawmakers stayed a $1 billion cut to the program for one year, … Read More
DentaQuest, part of Sun Life U.S., today announced a $30,000 contribution to the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics. The donation supports the college’s Geriatric and Special Needs Dentistry Program, which addresses complex challenges related to aging … Read More
The average nominal hourly wage for dental assistants has increased from $9 per hour in 1990 to $24.20 per hour in 2024, according to data from the American Dental Association. The ADA’s Health Policy Institute collected compensation data for both … Read More
The forerunner of what’s now Texas A&M University College of Dentistry opened 120 years ago in Dallas with the mission of educating dentists to provide quality care to patients in North Texas and beyond. That includes providing an array of … Read More
The average nominal wage for dental hygienists has increased from $18.40 in 1990 to $47.80 in 2024, according to data from the American Dental Association. The ADA’s Health Policy Institute collected compensation data for both full-time and part-time dental hygienists … Read More
Colorado, Oklahoma and Alabama have seen the largest increases in DSO-affiliated dentists between 2015 and 2024, according to data from the American Dental Association. The ADA recently released data on the dentist workforce, including demographics, workplaces and retirement trends. The … Read More
Central Texas dentists have been feeling the effects of a nationwide shortage of dental hygienists, facing difficulties filling vacant positions to serve a growing number of patients. A 2019 study by the Texas Department of State Health Services projected that … Read More
With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and the rise in tariff-driven operational costs, the dental mergers and acquisition (M&A) landscape is shifting in ways that practice owners can’t afford to overlook. While valuations remain strong … Read More
States have major decisions to make in 2026 about the social safety net and taxes in the aftermath of a sweeping law President Donald Trump signed last year. The federal government is shifting more responsibilities to states over the next … Read More
Private equity groups have begun to play a much larger role in dentistry over the years as the industry continues to consolidate and practice owners face growing financial pressures. Several DSOs gained private equity funding in 2025 to fuel future … Read More
General practice dentists have seen declines in revenue and income over the last few years as expenses have increased, according to data from the American Dental Association. The ADA recently released data on the dentist workforce, including demographics, workplaces and … Read More
New recommendations from the American Dental Association confirm that dental imaging should only be ordered when clinically necessary to minimize both patients’ and dental professionals’ exposure to radiation. Published jointly Jan. 5 in the January issue of The Journal of … Read More
Here are six new dentistry-related laws going into effect this year: Editor’s note: This list is not exhaustive. 1. A teledentistry law aimed at improving dental care access and addressing provider shortages in Georgia took effect Jan. 1. House Bill … Read More
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is directing state agencies to investigate potential child care funding fraud, following a national scandal in Minnesota. “Recently, the Trump Administration and independent journalists have uncovered potential systematic fraud in subsidized child care systems in states … Read More
Texas will be receiving the biggest slice of the federal government’s first rollout of a $50 billion fund created to fortify rural health care across the country. On Monday, the Trump administration announced how it plans to allot billions of … Read More
Mark Cuban, co-founder of Cost Plus Drugs Co., and Optum CEO Patrick Conway, MD, sparred over drug prices, pharmacy benefit managers and a range of other healthcare issues during a Dec. 16 conversation in Washington, D.C. hosted by Johns Hopkins … Read More
Texas, Florida and Connecticut have seen the most DSO activity during the fourth quarter of 2025. Becker’s compiled a list of more than 70 DSO affiliations, openings and acquisitions during the fourth quarter. Here is how DSOs expanded in these … Read More
California currently has the highest number of dental professional shortage areas, according to new data from the Health Resources and Services Administration. The HRSA recently updated its dashboard showing data on health workforce shortage areas. Here are the top five … Read More
WASHINGTON(AP) — Medicaid programs made more than $200 million in improper payments to health care providers between 2021 and 2022 for people who had already died, according to a new report from the independent watchdog for the Department of Health … Read More
Medicaid programs made more than $200 million in improper payments to health care providers between 2021 and 2022 for people who had already died, according to a new report from the independent watchdog for the Department of Health and Human … Read More
Dental treatment facilities serving U.S. service members are set to undergo a closer review of their accreditation status after the U.S. Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Dec. 17, advancing a provision backed by the American Dental … Read More
About 40% of dentists in the U.S. participate in the Medicaid and CHIP programs as of 2024, according to data from the American Dental Association. Participation from dentists has remained steady over the past decade, sitting between 41% and 44% … Read More
For both dental practices and individuals, the holiday season is often a time of celebration, gifts, spreading joy and looking back over another year past. Unfortunately, it is also a time when criminal scam artists are extremely active looking to … Read More
The U.S. Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act on Dec. 17, clearing the annual defense policy bill for the president’s signature after the House approved the measure last week. The bill includes an ADA-supported provision that aims to promote … Read More
Seven states improved their dental Medicaid benefits from 2024 to 2025, according to a report from the American Dental Association. In total, 38 states and the District of Columbia provide enhanced adult Medicaid dental benefits, which offers coverage that includes … Read More
LEXINGTON — Heading into 2026, the “elephant in the room” for Kentucky policymakers will be Medicaid, said Senate Republican Floor Leader Max Wise, speaking Tuesday during Kentucky Voices for Health’s annual meeting. Rep. Mary Lou Marzian, a Democrat from Louisville, … Read More
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas-11) led a letter with members of the Texas delegation urging U.S. Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) … Read More
A federal appeals court has rejected a request for a decision that denied class certification in an ongoing antitrust case against Delta Dental, according to a Dec. 10 news release from the American Dental Association. Here are five things to … Read More
Significant changes in federal policy slated to take effect in the coming months could disrupt health care coverage, costs, and access to care for millions of people, especially lower-income Americans, according to experts who spoke at a Dec. 2 Studio … Read More
Dental care utilization rates among children have remained unchanged for the past few years and are down from pre-pandemic levels. Further, the gap in utilization between children covered by Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and children covered … Read More
The ADA is urging lawmakers to prioritize oral health as they examine strategies to address rising health care costs. In a Dec. 3 letter to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, the Association stressed that rising costs … Read More
