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2026.
6 The (Dental) Times, They are a-Changin'
Strengthening Our Profession 7 2026 UDA Board
The ADEX Dental Licensing Examination Goes to Saudi Arabia
Thank You to all That Attended the 2026 UDA Convention
Our Greatest Obligation Building the Future of Dentistry
New HIPAA Rules Address Substance Use Disorder Records
PRACTICE
An Explosion of Scientific and Medical Misinformation Can Harm Patients
a Stronger Practice Through Dental Team Recognition
Great Progress in Treating the Underserved in Utah – A "Win-Win!"
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
RULE CHANGES TO OUR PRACTICE ACT
I was asked to follow the rule changes to our Dental and Dental Hygiene Practice Act that were mandated by the passage of HB 372, I would like to give you all an update on what has gone on and what is next. Discussions over multiple years centered on confusing wording in our Utah Dentist and Hygienist Practice Act which last year led to HB 372 sponsored by Rep Defay and Senator McKell. Their goal was to clean it up. Both legislators spent many hours with UDHA and UDA board members and their lobbyists in an attempt to appease both sides. My role on the board has been to follow section 808 of the bill. Where it reads:
58-69-808. Expanded functions of dental auxiliaries.
(1) The division shall create certifications for dental auxiliaries to perform, under the indirect supervision of a dentist, various expanded functions, including:
(a) delegated maxillofacial administration of botulinum toxin by a dental hygienist certified by the division;
(b) placement of direct restorations by a dental hygienist certified by the division or a dental assistant certified by the division; and
(c) the removal of coronal dental adhesive by a dental hygienist certified by the division or a dental assistant certified by the division.
(2) The division shall make rules to implement this section, including rules regarding:
(a) the education and minimum qualifications to obtain a certification; and (b) parameters for performing an expanded function. Section 10.
Effective Date. This bill takes effect on May 7, 2025.
As stated, the bill took effect May 7, 2025. Passage of it became a new beginning point. DOPL was now given 180 days to establish rules followed by a 30-day public comment period. As I write this the 30-day public comment period has started and will be finished before this is published. DOPL operates under the Department of Commerce for the State of Utah and the DOPL Dental Board is advisory to them. This new ask to the board to establish rules was outside most of their training. They were required to look at what other states laws were, what organizations in those states were providing education and testing, and what educators in our state currently teaching these subjects thought needed to be included. Keep in mind that the DOPL Dental board is appointed and not paid. DOPL staff were also asked a big ask, they needed to gain education in vocabulary and procedure to write everything with clarity.
Highlights to section 808 are:
Part 1) (a) Expanded Function of Dental Auxiliaries – Dental Hygienist – Certification for Delegated Maxillofacial Administration of Botulinum Toxin basically states a Hygienist must be in practice at least two years, practicing with a local anesthesia license for 3500 hours over the past six years, complete and pass an approved 20-hour course, and the supervising dentist must also have fulfilled the same training.
Part 1) (b) Expanded Function Dental Auxiliaries – Certification for the placement of Direct Restoration is obtained when the candidate qualifies for taking the education by being a dental hygienist or a dental assistant with 3500 hours of assisting. Educational programs must be CODA accredited, recognized by DANB, or approved by the division. The program must provide a minimum of 44 hours of didactic work and 124 hours of clinical patient care. This was determined to replicate the hours a dental student would need to provide the same service. Hours are broken in to 8 categories and the applicant must pass a written and competency exam. In total that is 172 hours (may still change slightly as rules are being finalized by DOPL) of training once an applicant qualifies for the approved course.
Part 1) (c) Expanded Function Dental Auxiliaries – Certification for the Removal of Coronal Dental Adhesive has some similarities to (b) in that a candidate qualifies for taking the education by being a dental hygienist or a dental assistant with 3500 hours of assisting. Education programs must be CODA accredited, recognized by DANB, or approved by the division. The program must have a minimum of 16 hours of didactic training and 2 hours of clinical training (again actual hours may vary in the final draft). At the end applicants must demonstrate removal of adhesive on 55 tooth surfaces to obtain certification. Auxiliaries may use hand instruments and slow speed handpieces up to 20K RPMs to remove adhesive. Supervising dentist must perform a final evaluation before the patient is dismissed.
Remember that none of these Expanded Functions can be performed until after rules are finalized, education pathways are approved by the DOPL board, exams are passed, certificates are distributed to be posted in the dental office, and liability insurance is obtained. When an EFDA performs any of the above functions’ patients must be informed that a Certified EFDA is performing the work under the supervising dentist and recorded in the patient chart.
A huge thank you to Rep. Defay and Senator McKell for working with both UDHA and UDA in sponsoring and handling all the difficulties faced in passing HB372. And a HUGE thank you to those working for DOPL and the DOPL Dental board as well as the many Hygiene educators and UAO leadership that submitted information that aided in this monumental undertaking mandated by the legislators of our state.
Have we closed the door on the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Practice Act? I would love to say
(continued on next page)
GREAT PROGRESS IN TREATING
As many of you know, this last April 1st was a great day for dental services availability in Utah. On that day, the dental benefits provided through Medicaid we extended to all adults with Medicaid eligibility in Utah! This care is provided by over 400 dentists around the state that are Associated Providers through the University of Utah School of Dentistry. This has become a win-win for both the patients and the providers because the services are available with no co-pay for the patient, and no restriction on the amount of work that can be done with covered procedures. It is also good for the providers as the compensations have improved to be competitive with most commonly used insurance programs. We are hearing positive comments from involved dentists around the state.
Now, because this program has been working so well, and in an exciting addition to this coverage, the legislature of the State of Utah voted this last spring to transition all pediatric and pregnant women Medicaid dental benefits to this same “fee for service” model through the Associated Providers, beginning July 1, 2026. This opportunity is open for ALL dentists in the State of Utah, and pediatric dentists should make a special note of this development. Compensations will initially remain the same as what was previously available through the managed care companies for pediatrics and pregnant women, and the process will be simplified as all groups will now be fee for service.
The State of Utah is leading the nation in this innovative way of providing dental benefits to Medicaid eligible individuals with competitive compensations for providers. As the program moves forward, it is anticipated that we will be able to add additional covered procedures and improve the rates of provider compensation as well. This happens because of the collabora-
Message (continued)
yes for a couple years! However, if special interest groups continue to lobby for expansion of their scope of practice or patient access is limited by the changing workforce, section 808 on Expanded Function Dental Auxiliaries may continue to change to meet those demands. If this happens, I find comfort in knowing those employed and appointed by the governor’s office at DOPL will stay focused on patient safety and maintaining educational standards that are currently required by those performing oral health procedures in our great state of UTAH.
Dr Rich Fisher UDA President
tion of the Utah State Legislature, the Utah Dental Association and the University of Utah School of Dentistry......indeed the stars have aligned in a positive way to benefit our profession and the people of Utah.
Listed below are QR codes that will allow dentists interested in signing up as a Medicaid Associated provider all the information needed. We take great pride in leading the nation in this innovative and productive plan. Please scan the codes and get answers to your questions, or feel free to reach out to the contact information listed.
This is not “your mother’s Medicaid” that we all had frustrations with in past years. This is better!
Dr James Bekker
ADA Delegate
THE (DENTAL) TIMES, THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’
I was recently reminiscing with a friend who is a fellow 2002 graduate of Oregon Health and Sciences University. We got a bit nostalgic remembering long days of classes, labs and clinic; followed by long nights of study and lab work. One specific memory that we shared was listening to Seattle Mariners games on the radio while sitting in the old, messy 3rd floor lab doing all of our own lab work: Waxing up, and then investing, burning-out, casting and polishing all of our own gold crowns (that we’d be delivering to patients in the coming days). Or waxing up and setting teeth in dentures (that would be fabricated and delivered by the same provider!) That conversation was a fun trip down memory lane. Upon reflecting on our conversation later that evening, I realized that I no longer qualify as a “young dentist” and, somehow, my career had already spanned more than two decades. How did that happen so fast?! I started to take inventory on just how much had changed in dentistry and the way I practice over these past 23 (and a half) years.
Over the past 23 years, dentistry has undergone a remarkable transformation—one that has reshaped not only how dental professionals work, but also how patients experience care. What was once associated with anxiety, long appointments, and limited treatment options has evolved into a field driven by technology, comfort, prevention, and personalized care. Today’s dentistry is smarter, gentler, and more patient-centered than ever before.
One of the most noticeable changes has been the rise of digital technology. Paper charts and traditional X-rays have largely been replaced by digital records and high-resolution imaging. Digital X-rays now provide clearer images with significantly less radiation, improving safety while allowing dentists to diagnose problems earlier and more accurately. Intraoral scanners have transformed impressions from messy, uncomfortable procedures into quick, precise digital scans, making treatment for things like crowns and occlusal guards faster and more accurate. (If you were to take away my intraoral scanner, I would quit dentistry. To describe my reliance on it, I put it up there with my loupes and headlamp.) Intraoral cameras have become a wonderful way to help empower and educate patients. A picture is worth a thousand words (a wonderfully written visual narrative) and a much speedier insurance claim reimbursement!
Advances in materials and techniques have also elevated the quality of dental care. Composite fillings, anatomic crowns, and improved bonding materials mean restorations are stronger, longer-lasting, and more natural-looking than ever before. (Get this…my graduating class still placed amalgam as our only choice of posterior filling. I didn’t do a single posterior composite on a live patient until the day I entered private practice.
And I hate to boast (but here goes), but those fillings are still serving that patient wonderfully after over 20 years of chewing popcorn and drinking Diet Coke!! And, yes, I’m aware that the previous sentence about amalgam makes me sound like I’m 150 years old). Dental implants have become more predictable and widely accessible, offering patients durable, confidence-boosting solutions for missing teeth. I am so glad I get to practice in an era where RPDs and FPD’s are NOT the only option!
Patient comfort has been another major area of progress. Modern anesthesia techniques, laser dentistry, and minimally invasive procedures have significantly reduced pain and recovery time. Dental lasers, for example, allow for precise treatment of gums and cavities with less discomfort and faster healing. As a result, many patients who once avoided the dentist now feel more relaxed and confident seeking care. For the past few years, I have been using an anesthesia service to sedate my high anxiety patients. I still have to pinch myself at the end of those treatment sessions, because that is MAGICAL!
Perhaps one of the most impactful shifts has been the growing emphasis on prevention and overall wellness. Dentistry today recognizes the strong connection between oral health and systemic health, including heart disease, diabetes, and overall quality of life. Preventive care, patient education, and early intervention are now central to dental practice, empowering patients to maintain healthy smiles for life rather than simply treating problems as they arise.
The dentist–patient relationship has evolved as well. With access to more information and advanced tools, patients are now active partners in their care. Treatment planning is more collaborative, communication is clearer, and expectations are better aligned. This partnership has helped build trust and improve long-term outcomes.
I feel like so many of the changes I’ve personally seen happened as natural byproducts of an inherent interest in my profession and a dedication and desire to deliver the highest possible standard of care to my patients. I’ve heard it said that there are two things that we human beings really hate: 1. Doing things the way they’ve always been done. And 2. Change! As I’ve aged into my 50’s, I’m finding that my willingness to change, or my “pliability” or “adaptive capacity” is lessening. I don’t like that. But I also don’t like the thought of damning my progression as a professional deliverer of health care. That doesn’t seem fair to my patients and it certainly doesn’t sound like a very exciting way to go to work every day! So, therefore, I will keep pushing myself to crack open that issue of JADA, attend that CE course and roll with the changes. It’s good for my patients and it’s good for me. Win-win.
Dr Randell M Capener UDA President Elect
STRENGTHENING OUR PROFESSION
This October, I had the privilege of attending the ADA House of Delegates for the first time as an alternate delegate representing our state. This experience provided invaluable insight into our organization’s governance processes. It gave me the opportunity to listen, learn, and participate in discussions that influence the direction of the ADA and the policies it will adopt for the upcoming year. Observing the decorum and deliberation of our governing body was truly formative and enhanced my understanding of the procedures we follow in our own UDA House of Delegates. I left with a clearer grasp of the governance processes that shape our profession.
What left the strongest impression on me, however, was the genuine passion expressed by many individuals who sacrifice time from their practices and families because they believe in serving the profession. Witnessing that level of commitment, not only from our own state but from colleagues nationwide, was inspiring. It reinforced my belief that organized dentistry thrives when we participate, lend our voices, and work together toward solutions that strengthen our profession.
One consistent theme throughout the sessions was the ADA’s goal to increase the involvement of early-career dentists. Early-career dentists remain a key focus of our governance efforts
at both the national and state levels. Early-career dentists bring fresh perspectives, firsthand experience with the changing challenges of practicing dentistry, and the energy needed to keep organized dentistry strong in the future. My own experience in organized dentistry has expanded my understanding of our profession, helped me build lasting relationships with remarkable colleagues, and empowered me to advocate for dentists’ needs.
To my fellow early-career dentists, I urge you to consider becoming involved in organized dentistry. We are at the beginning of careers that will span decades. The policies being shaped today will influence the environment in which we practice, not just now but throughout our entire professional lives. If we are not present in the rooms where decisions are made, others will make them for us. Yes, our schedules are demanding, and our lives often feel increasingly chaotic, but this cause is worth our time, energy, and commitment.
As we have seen over the years, our profession continues to face legislative scrutiny, and further challenges are inevitable. I urge you to join the UDA in its ongoing efforts to advocate for our profession and to protect the rights and interests of all dentists. Together, we can help shape a future for dentistry that reflects our values and supports the work we are privileged to do each day.
Dr Arman Farhadtouski
ADA Alternate Delegate
2026 UDA BOARD
Arman
THE ADEX DENTAL LICENSING EXAMINATION GOES TO SAUDI ARABIA
The American Board of Dental Examiners (ABDE) recently administered the ADEX Dental Examination in Saudi Arabia. The examination was conducted during the first week of January at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) in Jeddah by a team of experienced examiners who traveled there from the United States. The administration was the first time the ADEX Examination was delivered to the Eastern Hemisphere.
King Abdulaziz University Dental School in Jeddah has been accredited since August 1, 2019, and is one of only two dental education programs outside the U.S. and Canada that are fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). The Commission offers fee-based consultation and accreditation services to established international predoctoral dental education programs that comply with the same standards as accredited programs in the United States. Accreditation makes KAU a favorable international site for administration of the ADEX Examination. The other international CODA-accredited program is Yeditepe University Faculty of Dentistry in Istanbul, Türkiye, which has been accredited since February 1, 2024.
Administration of the ADEX Dental Examination in Saudi Arabia followed nearly three years of collaboration. “This examination represents the culmination of nearly three years of planning, collaboration, and shared commitment to excellence,” said Dr. Benjamin Wall, director of examinations for ABDE. “The facilities, faculty support, and operational readiness at King Abdulaziz University met the rigorous standards required for the ADEX examination.”
Preparation for the examination included multiple site visits, infrastructure validation, examiner preparation, and operational testing. All necessary steps were taken to ensure that the examination would meet established psychometric, clinical, and test security standards.
Examiners who participated report that administration was as smooth and as standardized as any ADEX examination in the United States.
“We are deeply grateful to the leaders at KAU for their dedication and collaboration in bringing the ADEX examination to Saudi Arabia,” said Dr. Mark Armstrong, chair of ABDE. “This expansion represents a meaningful step forward in furthering our mission and contributing to international dental competency standards that may ultimately protect public health and safety worldwide.” The ADEX Dental Examination is not required for licensure within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Instead, candidates pursue the examination for professional distinction and for its acceptance by U.S. licensing jurisdictions.
Administration of the assessment in Saudi Arabia reinforces the examination’s growing role as an internationally recognized measure of basic clinical competency for providers of dental care.
Saudi Arabia joins other international locations where the ADEX Dental Examination is administered. Currently, ADEX examinations are also administered in Canada, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and Mexico. The American Board of Dental Examiners continues to work with academic institutions, regulators, and examiners to maintain uniform standards while expanding access to its ADEX assessments.
The American Board of Dental Examiners is the result of the merger of CDCA and WREB (2021) with CITA (2022) and ADEX (2025). The ABDE is the continuation of a not-forprofit dental testing agency first established in 1969 to support state regulators by developing and administering independent clinical competency assessments approved by representatives of state dental boards. The ABDE’s ADEX examinations are now accepted or required in 51 jurisdictions and serve as a critical part of the initial licensure pathway for most dental and dental hygiene candidates in the United States. More information is available at adextesting.org.
Dr Mark Christensen
OUR GREATEST OBLIGATION BUILDING THE FUTURE OF DENTISTRY
Earlier this year, I had the privilege of visiting Cologne, Germany, for the International Dental Show, one of the largest global gatherings for our profession. Although I was inspired by the innovation and collaboration on display at the International Dental Show, it was my visit to the Cologne Cathedral that made me pause and reflect. That cathedral took more than 600 years to build, each stone laid by those who would never see the final result. Yet they believed in the future they were helping to shape. It made me wonder: How did the architect convey his vision across the generations?
It reminded me of the long legacy of the American Dental Association (ADA) and the community we have created, all built
over time through intention and a shared belief in why our work matters. It left me asking: What can I learn from the architect of the Cologne Cathedral to help realize a vision that makes dentistry the best it can possibly be for generations to come? Because at its core, I believe the ADA’s greatest responsibility is just that, to make dentistry the best it can be now and for the future.
Serving as ADA President during this pivotal year has been the honor of my lifetime. My goal was to help move our profession forward during a time of change within our Association, in our profession, and across the entire health care landscape. Just like the builders of that cathedral, we focused this year on laying a strong foundation, not just for today, but for generations of dentists and patients to come.
We had our share of challenges. A new presidential administration made considerable changes to the national oral health care infrastructure. Workforce shortages, misinformation, and a shifting policy landscape tested our resolve. Through it all, we stayed grounded in our purpose and values, guided by the ADA’s mission and the pillars that shaped my presidency: promoting wellness, fostering a culture of respect, and reconnecting oral health to overall health.
I have never been prouder of what we have built together.
Laying the Foundation for the Future of Dentistry
If we want to build something lasting, we have to look beyond our walls. That is why one of my top priorities this year was reconnecting oral health to overall health.
Far too often, dentistry is left out of insurance coverage, public policy, and broader health care conversations. However, this year we did not just speak up, we showed up. We engaged directly with the federal government to protect and elevate the profession. Our voices even rose to the level of the President of the United States, as dentistry was recognized as a key part of national health policy discussions.
In April, I joined ADA leaders at the White House to advocate for the integration of oral health into the national health care agenda. We brought forward evidence-based strategies around prevention, nutrition, and wellness, emphasizing priorities like community water fluoridation, workforce development, and the need for funding to expand access to care. Those conversations included experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and our own ADA Forsyth Institute, further reinforcing dentistry’s vital role in the future of health.
As the US Department of Health and Human Services underwent administrative restructuring, the ADA fought to preserve
Photo: Image licensed by Ingram Image
and strengthen the Chief Dental Officer role within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.1 We also pushed back on harmful tariffs, urging the Trump Administration to exempt dental supplies, equipment, and devices from policies that would drive up costs for both providers and patients. Together with the Dental Trade Alliance and the National Association of Dental Laboratories, we sent a joint letter to President Trump calling for a rollback of tariffs affecting dentistry.2
We did not stop there. We also showed up in full force this past spring for ADA Dentist and Student Lobby Day3 in Washington, DC. More than 1,000 dentists, dental students, and our specialty partners from across the country met with lawmakers to advocate for the issues that matter most, from dental insurance and student loan reform to community water fluoridation. We also backed our advocacy with visibility and research. In March, I authored an editorial for The Washington Post, urging federal leaders to prioritize dental insurance reform, workforce support, disease prevention, and oral health literacy.4 I also had the opportunity to contribute to conversations around health integration and equity through editorials like the one published in the summer 2025 issue of The Journal of the American College of Dentists,5 helping raise awareness of dentistry’s essential role in whole-person care.
At the ADA Forsyth Institute, we advanced cutting-edge research that is reshaping the future of oral and overall health, from microbiome research and tissue regeneration6 to artificial intelligence and links between oral health and systemic diseases like Alzheimer disease and diabetes. Building on that, our researchers took a promising first step toward a potential diagnostic strategy for periodontitis and the systemic diseases tied to it. Although there is still more testing ahead, this could lay the groundwork for future therapies and help us catch diseases earlier, starting from the mouth.7
This year we launched the ADA Living Guideline Program8 with the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, which is, to my knowledge, the first and only living clinical practice guideline program dedicated to oral health. It ensures our profession can act on the latest science in real time, empowering providers, policy makers, and patients alike.
We continued driving this message through education and collaboration. In June, the ADA hosted the Dentistry’s Role in Complete Health symposium,9 where dentists, physicians, public health leaders, and dental team members came together to explore how we can better integrate care and improve health outcomes. We also held the Oral Cancer Summit,10 a vital forum to share the latest science, raise awareness, and strengthen early
detection strategies. Through our Children’s Airway Event11 in July, we brought experts together to inform members about this evolving area of practice that is reshaping the future of care and improving the health of our children.
These efforts do not just improve patient care, they position dentistry where it belongs, as a critical player in building a healthier world.
Turning Purpose into Action
Leadership is more than showing up when it is easy; it is about standing firm when it is not. This year, we stood tall.
We pushed forward with a bold national advocacy agenda to reform dental insurance, strengthen our workforce, and ease the burden of educational debt. We made it a priority to ensure all dentists, in all modalities, felt supported and represented by their national association.
The results of this year’s ADA Health Policy Institute analysis showed that although practice ownership rates are lower among recent dental school graduates, most dentists still end up owning practices later in their careers.12 The path may take longer today, but the desire for ownership remains strong.
That is why we are working to support that journey. We launched a new collaboration with the Academy for Private Dental Practice, offering leadership, financial, and business strategy support for private dental care practitioners.13 We also advocated strongly for favorable tax policy, and our collective efforts helped secure the full restoration of the pass-through entity tax deduction in the Senate’s H.R. 1, which is a clear example of delivering real wins for our profession.14
We also tackled workforce shortages head on, focusing on recruitment, retention, and expanded training, especially in rural and underserved communities.15 We supported the entire dental
team, including dentists, hygienists, and assistants, ensuring they had the tools and support to succeed.
Fixing our broken dental insurance system also remained a top priority.16 In 2025, we aligned the ADA’s State Public Affairs grants with a unified national advocacy agenda, giving state societies the resources to pursue bold insurance reforms. In addition, we have championed the introduction of dental loss ratio legislation in at least 12 states.17 Three of those states (Washington, Montana, North Dakota) have now enacted laws, with North Dakota setting a 75% dental loss ratio.18 We have supported the Dental and Optometric Care Access Act to protect provider autonomy and celebrated the enactment of more than 361 prodentistry insurance laws across all 50 states from 2018 through 2025.19
Issues include virtual credit cards, network leasing, and joint negotiation, an innovative law in North Dakota that will allow dentists in a service area to jointly negotiate with insurers on specific issues in that state.20
On Medicare, our goals have remained clear: to expand access to vulnerable seniors, to ensure that any Medicare dental benefit is sustainable and adequately funded, and to avoid placing additional financial and administrative burdens on providers.21 As discussions evolve, the ADA remains a strong, steady voice at the table, pushing for solutions that prioritize both access and affordability.
We also advocated for expanded coverage of prevention-based services,22 such as fluoride treatments, sealants, and regular periodontal care as well as behavior modification consults like tobacco cessation, diet, and oral hygiene instruction. These services reduce the burden of disease, improve quality of life, and support medical-dental integration goals.
We fought hard to defend community water fluoridation as a safe, effective way to help prevent caries, backed by more than
Photo: Image licensed by Ingram Image
80 years of proven research.23 As misinformation spread, we launched our Fluoride Ambassador program, offered grassroots advocacy tools, and successfully helped defeat antifluoridation proposals in states like New Hampshire.24 In Connecticut, we celebrated a major victory for public health when Governor Ned Lamont signed legislation requiring the state to preserve existing water fluoridation standards at an optimal level of 0.7 mg/L, providing critical protections should federal standards come under threat in the future.25
To further support our members and the public, we also released the latest edition of Fluoridation Facts, a free, evidence-based e-book for ADA members.26 Using a question-and-answer format, it explains the safety, effectiveness, and cost of fluoridation, helping dentists, policy makers, and communities make informed decisions and push back against misinformation.
That is what leading with purpose looks like: action rooted in our shared mission and guided by our core values.
Strengthening the Profession from the Inside Out
Just like any structure worth building, our profession needs a strong foundation, and that starts with the people. At a time
when our members face growing pressures, with burnout, stress, and uncertainty as real concerns, the ADA stepped up.
This year, the ADA doubled down on wellness.27 We expanded access to resources, including digital tools like Talkspace Go, which offers self-guided mental health support, and Talkspace Therapy, which provides confidential, online therapy with licensed professionals via messaging or live video.28 We also made the Mayo Clinic Well-Being Index29 available at no cost to every dentist and dental team member, including nonmembers, because wellness belongs to everyone.
We also modernized a longstanding resource by means of updating the ADA’s Well-Being Programs Directory as a digital, user-friendly tool.30 This updated resource includes contact information for wellness programs in every state, including information about the 28 Federation of State Physician Health Programs, which offer dentists a confidential, therapeutic alternative to support.
I have often shared my own recovery story to help reduce the stigma around mental health and addiction. Dentists are healers, but we also need healing. That is why we pushed for change through resources like the Preventing Unfair Discrimination toolkit, which helps states revise outdated
Practice Transition Specialists
“I have used the advice and services of Randon Jensen and CTC over many years. First, to form a partnership, and more recently to move out of complete ownership of the practice I started 43 years ago. I have the highest regard for Randon and his honesty and integrity. His knowledge and skill has made all the difference. I give him my highest recommendation and would surely encourage you to trust him with your practice transition.”
–Roger L. Farley, DDS
randon jensen
marie chatterley
licensure questions that stigmatize mental health or substance use disorders.31 States like Oregon are answering that call.32,33
We also worked hard to foster a culture of respect, while listening to our members’ needs and concerns. Through listening sessions, Ask Us Anything events, national meetings, and honest, sometimes difficult, conversations, we created space for transparency and trust. Through these sessions, I did my best to ensure that all of our colleagues had a space to thrive within the organization.
Conclusions
This year was not easy, but it was necessary. It was a year that tested our unity and our values. It also revealed our strengths, because when we lead with purpose and stay true to our mission, we make people healthy. We improve lives, and we build a future worth passing forward, one in which every dentist succeeds, and every patient achieves optimal health.
Just like the Cologne Cathedral, the work we do today will outlive us to have a lasting impact. That is a beautiful thing, because what we have built this year is only the beginning. Thank you for walking beside me, for believing in this shared vision, and for helping lay the foundation for the future of dentistry. Together, we are building something that will last for generations to come, and that is something to be proud of.
Dr Brett Kessler
Past ADA President
JADA September 2025
END NOTES
1.Anderson O. ADA unites coalition to support CMS Chief Dental Officer role. ADA News Accessed July 8, 2025. https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2025/march/adaunites-coalitionto-support-cms-chief-dental-officerrole
2. Anderson O. ADA joins coalition opposing widespread tariffs on dental products. ADA News. Accessed July 8, 2025. https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2025/march/adajoinscoalition-opposing-widespread-tariffs-on-dental-products
3. Anderson O. A lobby day in the life. ADA News. Accessed July 8, 2025. https://adanews. ada.org/adanews/2025/april/a-lobby-day-in-the-life
4. Kessler B. America’s well-being depends on oral health. Washington Post. January 19, 2025. Accessed July 8, 2025. https://www.washingtonpost.com/creativegroup/ americandental-association/americas-well-being-dependson-oral-health
5. Kessler B. Leading the way in dentistry’s new era: integration, wellness and respect. J Am Coll Dent. 2025; 91(4):55-59.
6. Rolstad S. ADA Forsyth Friday: research collaboration pursues improved periodontal tissue regeneration. ADA News. Accessed July 8, 2025. https://adanews.ada.org/ adanews/2025/june/ada-forsyth-friday-research-collaborationpursues-improvedperiodontal-tissue-regeneration-2
7. Rolstad S, Davey ME. Forsyth Friday: new anti-bodies may aid diagnosis of gum-linked systemic diseases. ADA News. Accessed August 7, 2025. https://adanews.ada. org/adanews/2025/april/forsyth-friday-new-antibodies-mayaid-diagnosis-of-gum-linked-systemicdiseases
8. Anderson O. ADA living guideline program announced. ADA News. Accessed July 8, 2025. https:// adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2025/may/ada-living-guidelineprogramannounced
9. Anderson O. ADA symposium to equip dentists to be champions for overall health. ADA News. Accessed July 8, 2025. https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2025/ march/adasymposium-to-equip-dentists-to-be-championsfor-overall-health
10. Versaci MB. ADA summit convenes dentists, physicians to collaborate in fight against oral cancer. ADA News. Accessed July 8, 2025. https://adanews.ada.org/adanews/2025/ march/ada-summit-convenes-dentists-physiciansto-collaborate-in-fight-against-oral-cancer
11. Versaci MB. ADA Children’s Airway Event to strengthen dentists’ communication, clinical skills. ADA News. Accessed July 8, 2025. https://adanews.ada.org/adanews/2025/ may/ada-children-s-airway-event-to-strengthendentists-communication-clinical-skills
12.Versaci MB. HPI: younger dentists still become practice owners, just later in careers. ADA News. Accessed July 8, 2025. https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2025/june/hpiyoungerdentists-still-become-practice-owners-just-later-in-careers
13.Ganski K. ADA announces affiliation with private practice dental group. ADA News. Accessed July 8, 2025. https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2025/march/adaannouncesaffiliation-with-private-practice-dental-group
14. Anderson O. ADA opposes small business tax hike. ADA News. Accessed July 8, 2025. https://adanews.ada.org/ ada-news/2025/june/ada-opposes-small-business-tax-hike-2
15. Managing dental teams. American Dental Association. Accessed July 8, 2025. https:// www.ada.org/resources/ practice/practice-management/managing-dental-teams
16. Solving dental insurance issues. American Dental Association. Accessed July 8, 2025. https://www.ada.org/ resources/practice/dental-insurance
17. Anderson O. Dental loss ratio: putting patient care first. ADA News. Accessed July 31, 2025. https://adanews.ada.org/ ada-news/2025/april/dental-loss-ratio-putting-patient-carefirst
18. Anderson O. Montana passes dental loss ratio legislation. ADA News. Accessed July 31, 2025. https:// adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2025/june/montana-passesdental-loss-ratiolegislation-4
19. Shifting the balance of power. American Dental Association. Accessed July 31, 2025. https://www.ada. org/-/media/project/ada-organization/ada/ada-org/files/ powerof3/ada_dir_ shifting_the_balance_of_power.pdf?. rev=d9d063cc63e845a6a84308ce7b519a9f&hash=F2 CFFB1910ABF691CE726D7F5924966B
20. LegiScan. ND SB2375 | 2025–2026 | 69th Legislative Assembly. Published April 24, 2025. Accessed July 31, 2025. https://legiscan.com/ND/bill/SB2375/2025
21. Medicare. American Dental Association. Accessed July 8, 2025. https://www.ada.org/ advocacy/medicare
22. ADA leaders urge insurance groups to cover preventive services. ADA News. Accessed July 8, 2025. https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2025/may/ada-leaders-urgeinsurancegroups-to-cover-preventive-services
23. Fluoride in water. American Dental Association. Accessed July 8, 2025. https://www. ada.org/fluoride
24. Anderson O. What is the future of community water fluoridation? ADA News Accessed July 31, 2025. https:// adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2025/march/what-is-the-futureofcommunity-water-fluoridation
25. Anderson O. Connecticut bill defends community water fluoridation. ADA News Accessed July 31, 2025. https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2025/july/connecticutbilldefends-community-water-fluoridation
26. Fluoridation Facts e-book. American Dental Association. Accessed July 8, 2025. https://engage.ada.org/p/ eg/fluoridation-facts-e-book-2163?
27. Wellness resources. American Dental Association. Accessed July 8, 2025. https://www. ada.org/resources/ practice/wellness
28. New ADA member benefits from Talkspace. American Dental Association. Accessed July 8, 2025. https:// www.ada.org/resources/practice/wellness/talkspace
29. Versaci MB. ADA extends well-being index to dental team members. ADA News Accessed July 8, 2025. https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2025/july/ada-extendswellbeing-index-to-dental-team-members
30. State well-being programs directory. American Dental Association. Accessed July 31, 2025. https://www.ada.org/ resources/practice/wellness/state-well-being-programsdirectory
31. Resource toolkit: reducing barriers to care for mental health and substance use disorders. American Dental Association. Accessed July 31, 2025. https://www.ada.org/ resources/practice/wellness/reducing-barriers-to-care-formental-health-and-substance-usedisorders
32. Versaci MB. States remove stigmatizing mental health questions from dental licensure applications. ADA News. Accessed July 31, 2025. https://adanews.ada.org/ ada-news/2024/ october/states-remove-stigmatizing-mentalhealth-questions-from-dental-licensureapplications
33. Versaci MB. Oregon passes dental licensure reform that removes stignatizing mental health questions. ADA News. Accessed July 31, 2025. https://adanews.ada.org/ adanews/2025/january/oregon-passes-dental-licensurereform-that-removes-stigmatizingmental-healthquestions
STAND UP FOR UTAH DENTISTRY AND CONTRIBUTE TODAY!
Support
the Utah Dental Political Action Committee
The Utah Dental PAC works yearround to support legislators who champion oral health, patient safety, and the future of dentistry.
In 2025 we had a number of political wins but need your support to keep advocating for our profession.
Why Your Contribution Matters
Informs Lawmakers on our issues
Supports laws that keep dentistry patient focused
Enhances statewide advocacy efforts
Gives dentists a unified, influential voice
Contribute to UDPAC Today and Help Shape the Future of Utah Dentistry
PRACTICE
AN EXPLOSION OF SCIENTIFIC AND MEDICAL MISINFORMATION CAN HARM PATIENTS
Solving the problem of misinformation is complex because it is multifactorial. As a trusted source of clinical and scientific information, JADA goes to great lengths to verify the authenticity and scientific soundness of submitted articles. From detecting plagiarism to evaluating overreaching conclusions, the entire publication workflow is geared to ensure that only the highest-quality articles are published.
Somewhere, every day, patients bring oral health care clinicians clips, newspaper stories, or social media videos and ask what they think about this or that. Patient engagement is desirable, because it is the nature of medical information to be constantly updated and revised. But some patients who are not familiar with this process may be confused by these changes. Although new ideas and technology are welcomed and appreciated by many patients, it may cause anxiety in others and elicit questions and doubts.
Normally we assimilate new information incrementally. The standard of care in dentistry is built on years of experience and good outcomes. New findings provide opportunities to revise our protocols rather than change them completely. There are also many examples in which the assimilation of new treatments can occur rapidly. For example, it took relatively little time for osseointegrated implants, regenerative therapies, digital scanning, and additive manufacturing to be used in the office and taught in dental schools.
Sorting the good clinical science from the bad has become essential, but it is not that easy to do because of the immense growth of relevant information. It is difficult for clinicians to keep up to date. There are thousands of articles, announcements, breakthroughs, news stories, social media videos, television and radio announcements, opinions from community leaders and clergy, and technical information released every day. Misinformation about science, medicine, and products has made it important to manage this onslaught. We need to know if the information is valid before using it to inform a decision or treatment recommendation.
The Harm of Misinformation
Just as there has been an explosion of scientific information, there has been a deluge of fake news, disinformation, propaganda, spin, distortions, and deceptions. The reasons for this are complex and multifactorial. Data are often fabricated or misunderstood, leading to harmful outcomes for people and communities. For example, blatantly false and irresponsible accusations about the side effects of some vaccines have been generalized to all vaccines, resulting in poorly informed personal choices. The result is that people can die, epidemics can be caused, and lives and communities can be destroyed.
Of course, the trustworthiness of information sources is a major factor in mitigating incorrect and deceptive reports. Many
Photo: Image licensed by Ingram Image
dentists have their own websites where information about procedures and products is posted. Often these narratives are written and supplied by vendors, making it important to ensure that they are accurate before posting.
In 2024, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine published an outstanding report about how to understand and deal with misinformation in science and, by extension, in medicine and dentistry. A consensus statement was developed by a prestigious committee, peer reviewed, and made available free to the public. Many of the ideas and specific comments have been incorporated in my editorial, but it is worth reading that statement.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report also suggests a special subcategory of misinformation called disinformation. These equally harmful untruths are often perpetuated by people unaware that the conclusions are false. The dental community must be careful about believing unsubstantiated secondhand information and passing it along to their patients.
The Impact of Using Bad Information To Make Clinical Decisions
Examples of misinformation in modern dentistry include false statements about fluoride harms, conspiracy theories about foreign entities deliberately poisoning people and perpetuation of statements about the harmful effects of mercury in dental amalgams.
The impact of a clinician using or inadvertently perpetuating misleading claims is that such information could cause harm to a patient under their care.
By using critical thinking skills and understanding how bias works in clinical studies, we can determine the validity of the
conclusions of a study or report. For example, look to see if a study has controlled for bias: is there a control group comparison with the active or test group and are examiners blinded? If there is no control group or examiners are not blinded, we know that the results can be misleading by overestimating the treatment effect by at least 30%. An unblinded or uncontrolled clinical trial result is almost always invalid or poorly generalizable. Other types of studies, like case series, have specific validation criteria as well.
Professional dental organizations like the American Dental Association emphasize making evidence-based resources, guidelines, and product evaluations reliable and widely available. These resources have been rigorously vetted and scrutinized, helping ensure that clinicians can trust the information.
Who Spreads Misinformation
As mentioned above, there are many sources of misinformation including biased media, company advertisements, politicians, entertainment media, nongovernmental organizations, science organizations and institutions, press offices and news media organizations, individual scientists, and ordinary citizens.5 When these promoters spread inaccurate and biased stories, advertisements, and reports, they can reach substantial numbers of people, making the possibilities of harm that much greater and that much more difficult to manage.
Conclusions
Be aware and be careful. Prioritize known sources of information, like JADA, and keep up to date on the latest information.
Michael G Newman, DDS, FACD
JADA May 2025
BUILD A STRONGER PRACTICE THROUGH DENTAL TEAM RECOGNITION
What meaningful recognition looks like – and why it includes career and team training
With the competition for talent heightened by staffing shortages, the need for practice owners to show they value their current employees is more important than ever.
Recent analysis by Gallup found that employees who do not feel adequately recognized are twice as likely to say they will quit within a year — making employee recognition “one of the greatest missed opportunities for leaders and managers.”
Besides boosting individual employee engagement, recognition can increase productivity and loyalty to the company, leading to higher retention. Recognition can also “reinforce the desired culture of the organization to other employees” by demonstrating what success looks like, according to Gallup.
Here are five opportunities to show appreciation for dental practice staff in 2026:
Specific, timely and varied: Making recognition meaningful Celebrating annual employee recognition days or weeks is just one way to attract job candidates and retain satisfied employees, but job seekers and employees will find acknowledgement more meaningful when it’s personalized, invites collaboration and offered year-round. When recognizing an employee:
• Be specific. Help the employee tie the accolade to a specific behavior. Saying a casual “Thanks for all you do” is kind. Stating that an employee helped a particularly anxious patient is not only kind, but it also demonstrates that you noticed the employee’s efforts.
• Be timely. Praise that arrives days or months after the fact isn’t nearly as impactful as recognition that is offered promptly. Put formal recognition systems in place so that you (and other employees) can praise good efforts right away.
• Offer one-on-one time. Research shows that most employees don’t feel they get enough individual attention from their managers and leaders. Make sure you don’t only interact with your employees when you have corrective feedback.
• Encourage peer-to-peer recognition. Develop a way for employees to nominate each other for special recognition regularly or provide positive feedback for annual reviews.
• Variety is key. Use different methods to offer gratitude and praise beyond verbal affirmations. These might include acts of service (paying for lunch or sponsoring an office party), giving gifts (gift cards or performance bonuses), and providing appropriate physical touch (high-fives, fist bumps or even a thumbs-up).
• Make appreciation an event. Set aside time to acknowledge the efforts of the office team as a group. Reserving a dedicated time and place for employees to have fun together bolsters morale and connection to their employers and their work, making it an important retention and leadership tool.
cda
February 2026
Photo: Image licensed by Ingram Image
exclusive Wellness Resources for ADA Members and ASDA/ADA Student members
Find programs and resources to support your mental, emotional and physical well-being at ADA.org/Wellness.
Well-Being Index (WBI)
ADA.org/WellBeingIndex
State Well-Being Program Directory (updated in 2025)
ADA.org/WellnessDirectory
Your health matters. All dentists, dental students and dental team members have free access to the Dental Well-Being Index (WBI), a validated, anonymous risk assessment tool invented and provided by the Mayo Clinic. First, set up your WBI account. Then in just one minute, you’ll have access to a personalized dashboard and resources, allowing you to track your well-being over time. Available for all dentists, dental students, and dental team members.
Looking for help and guidance? Support may be closer than you think. This directory links you to local resources, state dental society contacts, ADA Wellness Ambassadors and the 28 Federation of State Physician Health Programs that provide a therapeutic alternative to discipline for dentists, connecting you to assistance closer to home. Available for all dentists, dental students, and dental team members.
ADA Ergonomic Stretches
ADA.org/Stretch
After a Suicide Postvention Toolkit
ADA.org/Postvention
Better ergonomics, stretching, and exercise can help dental teams build long, healthy careers. Download the ADA Ergonomic Stretches infographic with 25 quick stretches or access the ADA Member App for more resources to keep you and your dental team healthy. The downloadable ergonomic stretches are available for all dentists, dental students, and dental team members. The ADA Member App is available to ADA members and ASDA/ADA student members.
Developed in 2023 by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and the ADA, the After a Suicide Postvention Toolkit provides guidance for dental organizations responding to an unexpected suicide death. Available for all dentists, dental students, and dental team members.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please text or dial 988 to be connected to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This service is free and confidential and is provided by a national network of more than 200 crisis centers supported by local and state sources as well as the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). For a medical emergency dial 911.
ASSOCIATION
NEW HIPAA RULES ADDRESS SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER RECORDS
ADA provides updated sample notice ahead of Feb. 16 deadline
The ADA updated its sample Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, Notice of Privacy Practices to reflect new federal requirements regarding the use and disclosure of certain substance use disorder treatment information. Beginning Feb. 16, HIPAA-covered practices must include information in their Notice of Privacy Practices describing how substance use disorder records protected under title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 2 may be used and disclosed. The new federal requirements are the result of a final rule modifying the Part 2 rules published Feb. 16, 2024.
The updated sample Notice of Privacy Practices is intended to help dental practices meet their legal obligations while clearly communicating patients’ privacy rights.
Under federal law, the Part 2 rules provide heightened confidentiality protections for records related to federally assisted substance use disorder diagnosis, treatment, or referral. Dental practices may receive these records as part of a patient’s health history or through coordination of care with other providers. The updated Notice of Privacy Practices explains how these records may be handled when they are received by a dental practice with consent from an individual in a Part 2 program, or under one of the exceptions to the consent requirements.
The HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices is not required to include information concerning reproductive health. Provisions of the HIPAA Privacy Rule to Support Reproductive Health Care Privacy requiring such modifications was vacated by a decision of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas on June 18, 2025.
The sample Notice of Privacy Practices makes clear that certain types of information are subject to special protections.
“Some information, such as HIV-related information, genetic information, alcohol and/or substance use disorder treatment records, and mental health records may be entitled to special confidentiality protections under applicable state or federal law. We will abide by these special protections as they pertain to applicable cases involving these types of records,” according to the sample notice.
A new section of the sample Notice of Privacy Practices specifically addresses substance use disorder treatment information governed by Part 2. It explains the difference between records received through a general consent from the patient and records received under a specific consent. The sample notice also states that Part 2 records generally may not be used against a patient in legal proceedings without proper authorization or a qualifying court order.
“In no event will we use or disclose your Part 2 Program record, or testimony that describes the information contained in your Part 2 Program record, in any civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceedings by any Federal, State, or local authority, against you, unless authorized by your consent or the order of a court after it provides you notice of the court order,” the sample notice reads.
What does this mean for dentists?
To comply with the new requirement by the Feb. 16 deadline, dental practices should update the Notice of Privacy Practices by including the new language related to substance use disorder information disclosure language. They should provide the revised Notice of Privacy Practices to new patients at intake, have it available at the dental office for individuals to request, and post the information in a prominent location in the dental office, as well as on the dental office website if it has one, as required by HIPAA. Electronic distribution is acceptable if patients have agreed to receive notices electronically.
The requirement to update Notice of Privacy Practices does not change other longstanding HIPAA requirements such as the provider’s duty to safeguard protected health information, obtain patient authorization for certain uses and disclosures, and notify affected individuals following a breach of unsecured protected health information.
“Dental practices should assess whether they maintain or receive records associated with substance use disorder treatment programs, or Part 2 programs, and update applicable policies, consent forms, and Notices of Privacy Practices,” said Jennifer Thompson, D.D.S., chair of the ADA’s Council on Dental Practice. “It is also important to train clinical and administrative team members to understand the rules governing patient records under HIPAA and related confidentiality rules.”
Olivia
Anderson ADA News
DISCOVER THE ADVENTURE-READY, CITY-SAVVY 2025
BMW X3.
When you pair “adventure ready” with “city savvy,” you’ll find a vehicle that lives at the intersection of downtown avenues and mountain roads: the BMW X3.
With a reimagined design and sporty handling, the latest iteration of this icon doesn’t just tackle any journey with ease; it draws attention while doing it.
And it wouldn’t earn the X3 name without versatility at its heart and a premium interior that makes it unmistakably BMW.
Visit BMW of Murray or BMW of Pleasant Grove for exceptional offers on the BMW X3.
