ADA Calls on Congress to Increase Oral Health Funding for Fiscal Year 2027 and Restore Leadership at the Department of Health and Human Services

Image Source: Joint Letter from the American Dental Association

# DentalGoodNews｜April 8, 2026, the American Dental Association (ADA), in collaboration with three partner organizations, sent a joint letter to the leaders of the U.S. House and Senate Appropriations Committees. The letter urges strengthening federal support for oral health programs during the Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations process and reinstating senior leadership with dental backgrounds within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its agencies. In addition to the ADA, the joint letter was co-signed by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), and the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR).

The joint letter highlights the widespread impact of oral diseases on American society, noting that untreated oral diseases result in approximately 34 million lost school hours and 92 million lost work hours annually, leading to nearly $46 billion in economic losses each year. The ADA and its partner organizations stated that sustained federal investment in prevention and public health infrastructure is crucial, particularly for programs within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Oral Health. These programs support states and territories in tracking oral diseases and implementing evidence-based prevention strategies such as community water fluoridation and school-based dental sealant programs.

According to previous reports by DGN, the ADA called in November 2025 for the inclusion of oral health in national healthcare cost reform strategies, emphasizing that prevention and early intervention are key pathways to improving oral health and reducing the overall healthcare cost burden. This joint letter further specifies targeted funding requests: $22.25 million for the CDC Division of Oral Health, $46 million for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Oral Health Training Programs, and $570 million in funding support for the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR).

Furthermore, the organizations strongly advocate for the reinstatement of senior-level decision-makers with dental backgrounds and sustained participation of professional technical teams within HHS. They believe this will ensure that public health investments are managed, coordinated, and held accountable effectively. Regarding workforce development, HRSA's Oral Health Training Programs play a central role in improving the supply, distribution, and diversity of oral health professionals. Graduates of these programs predominantly serve in underserved communities or primary care settings, effectively expanding access to oral care.

Finally, the joint letter focuses on the research value of the NIDCR. As the core of oral health innovation, NIDCR's research funding will prioritize pain management, regenerative medicine, diagnostic technologies, and in-depth studies on the connection between oral health and systemic health. The letter states that modest increases in program funding are essential to achieving the goal of optimal oral health for all Americans.