3 things in government you missed this week

Utah bans fluoride, funding request, CMS chief dental officer position

“Three Things You Missed in Government This Week” is designed to offer a way to stay informed on the topics of the week. These brief updates are meant to offer brief details on legislative or regulatory topics to keep dentists engaged and up to date. To explore the ADA’s latest advocacy efforts, more information is available at ADA.org/Advocacy. 

1.    Utah became the first state to ban fluoride in public water systems. Gov. Spencer Cox signed a bill March 27 that places a complete ban on the practice across the state. Many experts continue to support the practice as a safe and effective way to prevent tooth decay, including the ADA, which sent a letter urging Gov. Cox to veto House Bill 81 prior to its passage.

2.    The ADA signed onto a coalition letter requesting Congress to support dental and oral health-related programs in Fiscal Year 2026. The coalition calls for support of various oral health programs and training within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Oral Health, Health Resources and Services Administration, and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. 

3.    In response to recent reports of impending reorganization within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the ADA mobilized a coalition of 27 national organizations to advocate for the preservation and strengthening of the chief dental officer position within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The coalition warned that weakening or eliminating the chief dental officer role could impair CMS’ ability to integrate oral health into broader healthcare strategies.