Bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Action for Dental Health Act advanced in the House on July 20 and was introduced in the Senate on July 23, according to a July 23 ADA News article.
The bill would continue funding workforce grants at $15 million annually. The House version extends the program through fiscal year 2030, while the Senate version extends it through fiscal year 2031.
The ADA cited first-quarter 2026 survey data showing more than 90% of practices found recruiting dental hygienists very or extremely challenging. The ADA said persistent shortages continue to limit access to care in rural and underserved communities, underscoring the need for continued federal investment in the dental workforce pipeline.
