AGD SUPPORTS TWO FEDERAL BILLS TO STRENGTHEN DENTAL COVERAGE

The following information was released by the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD):

The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) has joined other national dental organizations in supporting two pieces of federal legislation aimed at strengthening access to dental care. The Medicaid Dental Benefit Act of 2026 would make dental and oral health services a mandatory component of Medicaid coverage for adults in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., helping protect access to preventive and comprehensive dental care. The Ensuring Kids Have Access to Medically Necessary Dental Care Act would strengthen dental coverage under the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) by prohibiting annual and lifetime dollar limits on dental benefits and requiring dental-only wraparound coverage for certain children. AGD supports policies that recognize oral health as integral to overall health and help ensure patients can access necessary dental care without avoidable gaps in coverage.