ADA calls for adoption of higher funding levels in Labor-HHS bill

The ADA, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Education Association, and American Association for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research — submitted a joint letter urging congressional appropriators to finalize the fiscal year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill with strong support for federal oral health programs.

In the Dec. 2 letter, addressed to the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Appropriations committees, the groups asked lawmakers to adopt the higher of the House or Senate committee-approved funding levels for multiple programs affecting oral health research, workforce development and oral disease prevention.

“We respectfully request your bipartisan support in finalizing the fiscal year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies bill with strong investments in programs essential to dentistry and oral health,” the letter said. “Specifically, we urge you to adopt the higher amount of the House and Senate Committee-approved funding levels for each of the individual programs.”

It highlighted concerns about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Oral Health, noting its role in supporting state and territorial programs and its contributions to community water fluoridation and other disease prevention initiatives. The organizations warned that staffing reductions could hinder the division’s ability to maintain these efforts.

Workforce issues also featured prominently in the request. The groups cited recent Health Resources and Services Administration data showing that Title VII oral health training programs reached 1.5 million patients in medically underserved communities in Academic Year 2022–23. They emphasized that nearly 69% of program graduates practice in underserved areas.

The groups also voiced support for the Health Careers Opportunity Program, pointing to persistent recruitment challenges. More than one-third of dentists are actively recruiting dental hygienists and dental assistants, according to the letter, adding to the need for federal investments in strengthening the pipeline of future oral health professionals.

“Dental practice difficulties limit the number of patients dentists can see, and this problem is especially acute in underserved communities, which underscores the need for pathway programs to ensure the future strength and diversity of our nation’s oral health workforce,” the letter said.

In addition, the letter called for continued and increased funding for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program’s dental components, citing stagnant reimbursement levels and rising care needs for people living with HIV. The organizations also thanked lawmakers for maintaining the National Institutes of Health’s current structure allowing the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research to remain as an independent institute.

“We also urge Congress to adopt language included in the Senate Appropriations bill that prohibits the administration from imposing an arbitrary cap on [National Institutes of Health] indirect research costs,” the letter said.

A detailed table of fiscal year 2026 House and Senate proposed funding levels accompanied the letter, comparing each program with fiscal year 2025 enacted amounts.