In the News

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 for...

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 $1...

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 US....

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 here.

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 here.

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 approximately...

The Florida legislature extended its 2025 session but failed to pass the state budget or expand Medicaid dental coverage. The SMILES Act (HB 975/SB 1048) seeks to improve Medicaid dental benefits by covering routine care and increasing dentist reimbursement rates.  Currently, Florida Medicaid primarily covers dentures and extractions for...

The hundreds of veterans who visited Houghton’s annual VetFest on June 11 may have noticed something new. The Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center set up its mobile dental unit to provide free oral cancer screenings and referrals to veterans. Watch news clip and read full article here.

Access is especially tough for kids in rural areas or whose families don't have a lot of money. Some dentists say a new statewide ban on adding fluoride to drinking water affects these communities the most. Watch news clip and read full article.

A powerful TIME investigation exposes how misinformation, policy rollbacks, and systemic neglect are leaving millions without access to basic dental care. The most vulnerable communities are paying the price as fluoride is removed from water systems and Medicaid benefits are at risk. CareQuest Institute is calling for urgent action to treat oral...