Federal bill would extend funding to address dental workforce

Action for Dental Health Act of 2025 introduced March 10

A federal bill reintroduced March 10 in the U.S. House of Representatives would extend funding to address access to care and dental workforce-related issues. 

ADA leaders are expressing support for the Action for Dental Health Act of 2025, which would allocate the funding toward organizations through an oral health workforce grant program. In a letter to Reps. Mike Simpson, D.M.D., R-Idaho, and Robin Kelly, D-Ill., the Association said workforce challenges are among its top priorities.
 
“We strongly support this bipartisan legislation, which would reauthorize the Action for Dental Health program, a crucial workforce grant initiative that expands access to care for those most in need,” reads the letter, signed by ADA President Brett Kessler, D.D.S., and Interim Executive Director Elizabeth Shapiro, D.D.S., J.D.

The ADA has long championed Action for Dental Health funding, which supports dental disease prevention through improved oral health education, reduces geographic and language barriers and enhances access to care through various initiatives. 

“We appreciate your leadership in addressing dental workforce challenges and advancing the [Action for Dental Health] program. Ensuring a strong dental workforce is essential to meeting the oral health needs of all Americans,” Drs. Kessler and Shapiro concluded.  

Follow all the ADA’s advocacy efforts at ADA.org/Advocacy.