In the News

Traditional Medicare still does not cover dental care — despite the fact that most people support expanding coverage and oral health problems increase as we age. In this Next Avenue article, learn what we can do to address this shortcoming. Read the full story here.

The US Food and Drug Administration appears poised to continue with a plan to ban prescription fluoride supplements at a time when many experts say that access to the products has become especially important. “There’s a changing political conversation, but it’s not necessarily changing where the average American perception of fluoride is yet,”...

A new report from the Carequest Institute for Oral Health shows that the majority of Americans support water fluoridation. CareQuest partnered with Marketing for Change Co. to conduct a survey of 1,114 U.S. adults between July 7-9. The survey comes as water fluoridation is under intense scrutiny at the state and federal levels due to concerns...

In this episode of Listening In (With Permission), Andréa Caballero of Catalyst for Payment Reform sits down with Caroline McLeod, a practicing dental clinician and leader at CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, for a deep dive into the overlooked world of oral healthcare—exploring why it’s far more than just teeth, and why health leaders need...

Dental industry leaders are preparing for what may be some harsh consequences of the recently enacted federal budget bill. Melissa Burroughs, the Senior Director of Public Policy for the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, called the bill’s passage a “dangerous setback,” adding that several provisions of the bill will make it more difficult...

The recently enacted federal budget could lead states to remove dental benefits from Medicaid, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association said July 11. President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act July 4. The bill is expected to increase the national debt by $3.3 trillion, and lead to a decrease in Medicaid spending by nearly...

More than half (52.8%) of individuals in households experiencing disabilities are more frequently denied health care or oral health care due to discrimination. To support individuals with disabilities, the Delta Dental of Illinois Enhanced Benefits Program included additional checkups, cleanings, and fluoride treatments. Read the full story...

As more communities remove fluoride from drinking water, public health experts, including CareQuest Institute Senior Director of Public Policy Melissa Burroughs, warn of a surge in cavities and a backslide after decades of dental health progress. POLITICO breaks down the growing controversy and what it could mean for millions of people in the...

What’s the future of oral health policy in the US? CareQuest Institute Senior Director of Public Policy Melissa Burroughs recently spoke with Becker’s Dental + DSO Review to discuss how the Trump administration can prioritize oral health improvement. Read the full article...

With fluoride bans gaining traction in states like Utah and Florida, the US may be heading into a deeper dental health crisis. Learn how legislative changes, misinformation, and rising out-of-pocket costs are compounding barriers to care—especially for low-income families. A 2025 dental health report by ValuePenguin found that more than one in...

As RFK Jr. questions federal fluoride policy, public health experts like Melissa Burroughs, Senior Director of Public Policy at CareQuest Institute, are weighing in on what it could mean for children’s dental health. Read the full story...

In recent years, there has been a notable increase in dental injuries, leading many to seek care in hospital emergency departments (EDs). However, for most dental issues, consulting a dentist is more effective and beneficial than visiting an ED. A 2022 report by CareQuest Institute for Oral Health highlighted that in 2019 there were...