Are Medicaid cuts and the EPA hurting dentistry?
Medicaid cuts and the EPA's take on water fluoridation continue to be top-of-mind issues in dentistry. Plus, we take a look at a new toothpaste that preserves the natural oral microbiome.
Celebrity smile trends are changing. More famous figures are opting for a natural look over perfect white teeth.
A new tool for digital workflow training. A new platform for training dental assistants in digital workflow has launched: Digital Dental Assistant Academy (DDAA).
A new dental license in Maine? A bill in Maine would establish an associate dentist license with lower education requirements as lawmakers consider how to address access to care.
A $9M grant to study TMJ. A five-year, $9 million NIH grant funding research on TMJ at UT San Antonio has earned its three-year approval.
The environmental impact of nitrous oxide. A new study examines the carbon footprint of nitrous oxide use in dentistry.
Dentistry and diabetes screening. Dentists who adopt diabetes screening in their practices could play an important role in early detection, according to a new study.
Medicaid cuts and the impact on dental care
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is expected to slash Medicaid spending by more than $900 billion over the next 10 years, according to CBS News. In recent years, some states have opted to expand dental benefits, but the federal funding cuts could lead to a reversal in that trend. Reduced funding could compound the challenges low-income patients face when attempting to find dentists who accept Medicaid and have the capacity to see new Medicaid patients.
Why it matters: Reduced access to oral health care will likely have consequences for overall health for Medicaid patients. (CBS News)
The EPA and fluoride: Dental industry groups raise alarm
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) is speaking out against the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Fluoride Preliminary Assessment Plan and Literature Survey. The professional organization, which represents more than 11,000 pediatric dental specialists, is raising concerns over the EPA's methodology, its reliance on a report that failed to pass peer review and its plan to ignore the health benefits of fluoride. The AAPD is joined by more than 100 other professional dental organizations in support of the public health benefits of fluoride.
Why it matters: The outcome of the EPA's plan could have significant consequences for community water fluoridation and public health. (Dentistry Today)
A new toothpaste for a healthy microbiome
Some bacteria are responsible for poor oral health, triggering gingivitis and periodontitis, but the oral microbiome also includes a plethora of bacteria that are beneficial to oral health. Many toothpastes and mouthwashes in use today disrupt both the healthy and harmful bacteria, but a new toothpaste aims to change that. Researchers developed PerioTrap as a "microbiome-friendly toothpaste."
Why it matters: Products that prioritize a healthy microbiome could be of interest as oral health care stakeholders learn more about the bacteria in the mouth and the role they play in oral health. (SciTechDaily)
- ADA: The role of oral exams in early cancer detection
- New York dedicates $10M to improve pediatric dental care access
- Texas A&M professor receives $40k grant for orthodontic research
- Self-care for dentists
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Dental Bite is curated and written by Carrie Pallardy and edited by Bianca Prieto
