House Reauthorizes Action for Dental Health Act to Strengthen Workforce and Expand Access
The US House overwhelmingly approved legislation extending federal support for oral health workforce programs and prevention initiatives through 2028.
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Dry Mouth Could Be the Clue to Undiagnosed Diabetes
Because xerostomia is more common in patients with diabetes, oral health professionals may play a key role in identifying undiagnosed disease through careful assessment, risk screening, and timely medical referral.
Rural Dental Assisting Program Pause Raises Access Concerns in Virginia
The pause of Mountain Empire Community College’s dental assisting program could further strain Virginia’s dental workforce pipeline and intensify the state’s dental hygienist shortage.
ER Dental Visits Surge as Policy Shifts Strain Access
Emergency departments across the United States are treating a growing number of serious dental problems, many of them preventable. Experts say workforce shortages, pandemic-related oral health setbacks, and recent policy changes affecting…
Tackling Substance Use and Mental Health in Dental Care
Simple screening tools and brief interventions can help dental teams identify substance use and mental health risks.
Utah Opens Hospital Doors to Dental Hygienists
Utah has passed new legislation expanding where dental hygienists can practice, officially adding hospitals to the state’s definition of public health settings. The move is expected to broaden access to preventive oral healthcare while…
A Pan, a Hunch, and a Life Saved
A routine panoramic X-ray turned into a potentially life-saving moment when a dentist spotted suspicious calcifications near a patient’s carotid artery. The discovery ultimately revealed a dangerous blockage, proving once again that the…
Resolution Defends Fluoridation as Florida Ban Sparks National Debate
A new congressional resolution urges states to maintain scientifically recommended fluoride levels in public drinking water following Florida’s ban on water fluoridation. Dental and public health organizations say the measure reinforces…
Lettuce-Based Delivery Could Change How GLP-1 Drugs Reach Patients
Researchers are exploring whether obesity and diabetes medications currently delivered by injection could someday be taken orally using plant-based technology. Early findings suggest genetically engineered lettuce cells may protect GLP-1…
Oklahoma Dental Plan Legislation Raises Questions About Cost, Contracting, and Care Access
Oklahoma lawmakers are considering SB 1942 and HB 4329, bills that would modify how dental plans define covered services and negotiate reimbursement rates. Dentists and employers alike are evaluating how these changes could affect…
