Dear Colleagues,

Summer is here, bringing with it a sense of renewal and energy. For many, it is a time to celebrate milestones, such as graduating from dental school and embarking on a fulfilling career in dentistry. I remember my own graduation, feeling excited and eager to make a difference. For others, summer offers a moment to rest, refocus, and set new goals.

Whatever summertime means for you, I believe that the mid-year mark invites us all to reflect on the progress we’ve made thus far and the possibilities that lie ahead. At the American Dental Association, we’re recognizing the significant strides we’ve made in key advocacy areas. From tackling student debt to enhancing workforce mobility and being a leading voice for crucial insurance reform, we've taken bold steps in 2024 to ensure a bright and promising future for dentistry.

Protecting Patients and Providers: In collaboration with state dental societies, we've achieved significant milestones in dental insurance reform. As of June 26, seventeen new dental benefit laws have been enacted in ten states – and counting – supported largely by the ADA’s State Public Affairs (SPA) program. These laws address issues such as assignment of benefits, transparency in claims reviews, and fair practices concerning down coding, bundling, and medical loss ratios.

Despite this progress, dental insurers continue to cite “ERISA preemption” as a way to ignore these new laws meant to protect patients and dentists alike. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (or ERISA, for short) governs self-funded dental plans, with some carriers arguing it grants them the authority to disregard state regulations.

Together with state dental societies, we continue to advocate for ERISA plans to adhere to state laws that prioritize patient health and safety. On June 12, we took a pivotal step forward by joining a coalition of healthcare organizations in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court. This action urges the Court to review the Tenth Circuit decision that undermines these patient protections.

Last year, the Tenth Circuit ruled against the state of Oklahoma, ignoring the Supreme Court’s decision in Rutledge v. Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, which set clear limits on ERISA preemption. Our brief supports Oklahoma’s stance that state laws should not be overridden by ERISA.

Failure to challenge this decision risks leaving patients unprotected and vulnerable to potentially abusive practices by insurers. We are committed to upholding the integrity of state laws, ensuring they continue to safeguard public health and well-being. For more information, please visit ADA.org/ERISA.

Strengthening our Workforce: Strengthening our dental workforce remains a top priority, as a vast majority of our members still find it challenging to hire allied dental team members. We've been supporting initiatives that would ensure many dental workforce programs continue, including vital bills like A Stronger Workforce for America Act, which supports job training for dental staff. We're making it easier for dental professionals to practice across state lines with the newly enacted Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, which empowers dental professionals to experience ease and freedom as they build their lives and career. Additionally, our SPA grant program has provided over $400,000 in workforce-related grants to 23 state societies in the first half of 2024 alone.

Alleviating Student Debt: Addressing the burden of student debt remains a critical focus, especially as more than two-thirds of new dentists in 2022 began their careers owing an average of $293,000 in educational debt. The ADA is actively supporting proposals from the U.S. Department of Education aimed at amending student loan regulations nationwide, like providing relief across different loan types, offering debt relief to long-term borrowers, and adjusting repayment options based on income.

Additionally, we've established an ADA Task Force to explore ways to lower dental school tuition. By advocating for these measures, we aim to empower members to navigate their careers with greater financial flexibility, ensuring they can devote their energy to delivering exceptional care.

It’s amazing what we can achieve when we work together—our last six months are proof of that. And as we look ahead to the second half of 2024, I want us to consider the many ways we can continue to make a difference for our profession and patients.

Stay updated on workforce, student debt, and more at ADA.org, where you'll also find resources to help dentists recruit, train, and retain dental teams. Get informed about legislative issues and learn how you can take action on the critical issues affecting our community.

In the meantime, enjoy all the things that make summertime great. And thanks for bringing so much sunshine into the lives of those we serve.

Linda J. Edgar, D.D.S., M.Ed.
President, American Dental Association