Coalition focused on dental licensure reform holds inaugural meeting
10/23/2019
The Coalition for Modernizing Dental Licensure held its inaugural meeting Oct. 11 at ADA Headquarters, laying out the framework for its effort in calling for the modernization of the dental licensure process.
Organized dentistry urges Congress to let graduate students take out subsidized loans
10/22/2019
The Organized Dentistry Coalition is asking the House Committee on Education and Labor to support student loan reform legislation that would alleviate some of the debt dental students face after graduation.
Current Issue
10/21/2019
Just the Facts — October 21, 2019
10/21/2019
Medicaid covered about four in 10 adults and seven in 10 children who visited an emergency department for dental conditions in 2016.
Happy birthday, Tooth Talk
10/21/2019
Following a first year that saw more than 11,000 downloads, Tooth Talk is back for more in its second season. Tooth Talk is the ADA’s biweekly podcast series from the American Dental Political Action Committee.
ODC continues to support Doc Access Act
10/21/2019
Prohibiting third-party payers from dictating what dentists can charge for services not covered by dental benefit plans is a priority for the Organized Dentistry Coalition in 2019, which is once again offering support for legislation calling for just that.
ADA offers condolences on loss of Rep. Elijah E. Cummings
10/21/2019
The ADA offered condolences Oct. 17, following the news that Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, a long serving member of Congress and oral health advocate, had died.
How mice renew teeth could inform regeneration research in humans
10/21/2019
New findings related to tooth regeneration in mice could offer insights into how human teeth could potentially be regenerated.
ADA runs ads clarifying status of petition to FDA regarding SmileDirectClub
10/18/2019
The American Dental Association will run digital advertisements on the websites of The New York Times and USA Today clarifying that its pending citizen petition submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration about SmileDirectClub is very much active.
New ADA standards, technical reports available for comment
10/18/2019
The ADA Standards Committee on Dental Products and the ADA Standards Committee on Dental Informatics have approved various standards for circulation and comment.
ADA president gets to know Washington
10/18/2019
“Welcome to Washington — it’s great to have you here.” Those were the words of Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, a dentist who has been in Congress for more than 20 years, upon meeting ADA President Chad P. Gehani during his Oct. 16 visit to Washington.
California passes law strengthening teledentistry requirements
10/17/2019
American Dental Association President Chad P. Gehani on Oct. 15 commended the California Dental Association for being instrumental in passing a law that offers protections for patients using teledentistry.
FTC judge rules on conspiracy allegations involving Henry Schein, Benco, Patterson
10/17/2019
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission dismissed claims Oct. 15 that Henry Schein conspired with competitors to avoid providing discounts to, or to otherwise serve, buying groups representing dental practitioners.
ADA supports legislation regulating vaping devices
10/16/2019
The ADA reiterated its support for legislation aimed at regulating vaping devices and liquids in the same manner the Food and Drug Administration regulates cigarettes and other tobacco products.
Predoctoral programs now required to educate students on managing patients with disabilities
10/16/2019
Beginning in 2020, the Commission on Dental Accreditation will require all U.S. predoctoral dental education programs to educate students on managing patients with intellectual and physical disabilities.
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research seeks input on proposed initiatives
10/16/2019
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research is welcoming input on its research initiatives from the research and clinical practice communities, industry, interested organizations and the public as part of its budget planning process for the 2021 fiscal year.
Arkansas Children's Hospital receives donation to aid sealant program
10/15/2019
The Yates Foundation donated $1.25 million to the Arkansas Children's Hospital’s Campaign for a Healthier Tomorrow, with the gift earmarked for the hospital’s dental sealant program, according to a hospital news release.
Boston University installs 2 robotic devices for dental implant surgeries
10/15/2019
Boston University's Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine announced Oct. 9 it was the first U.S. dental school to acquire, install and use two surgical robotic devices for dental implant surgeries.
Amalgam separator deadline approaching quickly
10/15/2019
Under a federal rule adopted by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2017, many dental practices will need an installed amalgam separator by July 14, 2020. A few practices may be exempt, but some of those that are still need to submit a form to affirm their exemption from the rule.
ADA president: We have and will continue to educate dental community on opioids
10/15/2019
On the heels of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service releasing new guidance on opioids, the ADA wants members to know the Association continues to combat the opioid epidemic by educating dentists on the best ways to help patients manage dental pain.
ADA offers solutions on improving oral health for rural populations
10/14/2019
How should we measure access to health care services in rural communities? This was one of several questions the ADA addressed in the Health Resources and Services Administration’s request for information on improving health care for rural Americans.
ADA awards ‘qualified’ status to 2 Seal testing sites
10/14/2019
Two facilities have achieved "qualified" status under a new ADA program for research sites that participate in the ADA Seal of Acceptance Program.
NPI enumeration webinar scheduled for two dates in November
10/11/2019
The ADA is presenting a continuing education course on National Provider Identifier enumeration on Nov. 15 and Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. Central time each date.
Dental schools embrace Holocaust Survivors Oral Health Program
10/11/2019
At a young age, Leah Cik Roth left her Czechoslovakian home to become an apprentice basket maker and wig maker. She learned in 1941 that most of her community back home, including her father and nearly all her siblings, had been forced over the Polish border by Hungarian forces allied with the Nazis and executed by firing squads.
Bahamas Dental Association, International Medical Relief recruiting volunteers for Hurricane Dorian missions
10/11/2019
Hurricane Dorian struck the Bahamas on Sept. 1 and was the most intense tropical cyclone to strike the Bahamas in the nation’s history. To assist the victims of the devastation, the Bahamas Dental Association and International Medical Relief are planning outreach missions to ensure that the survivors’ medical and dental needs are addressed.
National Children’s Dental Health Month to celebrate water fluoridation in 2020
10/11/2019
The year of 2020 will mark the 75th anniversary of community water fluoridation, and the ADA is helping dentists celebrate the occasion as National Children’s Dental Health Month approaches.
ADA sets record straight on status of petition to FDA regarding SmileDirectClub
10/10/2019
The ADA’s pending citizen petition submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration about SmileDirectClub’s marketing and direct-to-consumer sales of plastic teeth aligners is still active.
National Safety Council releases toolkit on opioids in the workplace
10/09/2019
Itasca, Ill. — On Sept. 18, the National Safety Council released its Opioids at Work Employer Toolkit, a resource designed to help employers create workplace safety programs focused on opioids. The toolkit is free of charge.
HEAL initiative focuses on decreasing opioid use disorder
10/09/2019
The National Institutes of Health announced Sept. 26 it has awarded $945 million across 41 states through the Helping to End Addiction Long-term Initiative.
ADA asks CMS to consult Dental Quality Alliance on dental measures
10/08/2019
The ADA encourages the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to simplify the complex Merit-Based Incentive Payment System program, and would like the agency to remain sensitive to the needs of rural and small dental practices who treat pediatric patients.
Data breaches unlikely in August ransomware attack
10/07/2019
An investigation into the ransomware attack that affected hundreds of dental practices in August found it likely did not compromise any patient information, according to a report released Oct. 4 by the Wisconsin Dental Association Insurance and Services Corp.
Sign up GKAS program by Nov. 13 to receive product kits
10/01/2019
Give Kids A Smile program coordinators should sign up their 2020 event between Oct. 1 and Nov. 13 to be eligible to receive donated product kits.
Saliva research wins Ig Nobel Prize for chemistry
10/01/2019
A team of Japanese researchers’ efforts to determine how much saliva a typical 5-year-old produces in a day won them an Ig Nobel Prize, a satiric award modeled after the Nobel Prize that honors “achievements that make people laugh and then think.”
November CE Live course focuses on esthetic, therapeutic uses of Botox
10/01/2019
The American Dental Association will offer a two-day CE Live course on the use of dermal fillers and botulinum neurotoxin –– commonly known as Botox, Xeomin or Dysport –– for dental esthetic and therapeutic uses in the oral and maxillofacial areas.
New dentists sought for ADA 10 Under 10 Awards
10/01/2019
The American Dental Association is seeking nominations through Dec. 31 to recognize 10 new dentists who are demonstrating excellence in their work and inspiring others.
ADA expands policy on oral cancer detection to include oropharyngeal cancer
10/01/2019
The American Dental Association recommends dentists conduct routine visual and tactile examinations for oral and oropharyngeal cancer for all patients, according to a resolution passed by the ADA House of Delegates on Sept. 9.