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.

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…

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 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…

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…

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 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…

A newly proposed federal rule would reinstate a prohibition preventing routine adult dental services from being included as an essential health benefit under the Affordable Care Act. If finalized, the policy could limit states’ ability to…

AB 1952 proposes the development of an alternative licensure process for internationally trained dentists to work as dental hygienists in California. Now more than ever, dental hygienists must advocate for their profession, and California…

The United States Coast Guard has partnered with the University of Minnesota to integrate dental therapists into its healthcare delivery model. The 5-year initiative aims to address provider shortages, strengthen operational readiness, and…