RDH news: ADHA releases newly revised standards, ADA vies for mental health bill reauthorization, research portends negative side effects of Medicaid cuts

New dental hygiene standards led by ADHA

The American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) released their 2025 Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice earlier this week. Led by industry leader JoAnn Gurenlian and her committee, this marks the first comprehensive update since 2016. It includes evidence-based framework to support proper clinical practice and enhance patient care worldwide.

As copied from the ADHA's press release, significant revisions include:

• "Comprehensive assessment protocols that evaluate social determinants of health and risk factors

• Expanded dental hygiene diagnosis framework incorporating systemic health considerations

• Complete redesign of planning standards with emphasis on collaborative decision-making

• Updated implementation guidelines highlighting evidence-based product recommendations

• Enhanced evaluation and documentation standards reflecting modern healthcare practices

• Refreshed dental hygiene process of care model illustrating the interconnected nature of all standards"¹

If you are interested in learning more, you can download the 2025 Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice.

ADA urges for mental health bill reconsideration

The ADA, along with 66 other organizations, are urging Congress to pass a bill aimed at reducing and preventing burnout, stress, and suicide for those in the health-care field.

This bill was authorized in 2022 and was named after Laura Breen, an emergency physician who committed suicide during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. So far, the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act has already allowed several hospitals, state licensure boards, and other health systems to alter the credentialing process that has unintentionally contributed to the negative stigma about seeking mental health care.²

However, a reauthorization of this bill is needed to ensure the initiatives, grants, and other benefits it provides can not only stay in place but be expanded upon in the future. It is currently the only bill dedicated to preventing suicide and occupational burnout for health care professionals.

On this, the organization said: "We must continue to prioritize the health and well-being of those who care for us, ensuring an environment where each and every health care professional always has access to the necessary mental health care services they need and deserve, without fear of loss of licensure, loss of income, or threat of other meaningful career setbacks associated with the stigma of getting the help they need."²

ADA research underscores need for adult dental Medicaid

The ADA's Health Policy Institute released a new study exploring what would happen if federal aid to state Medicaid programs was reduced. Researchers concluded states would not only face budgetary and enrollment challenges, but the adult dental Medicaid benefit would be vulnerable to reimbursement, service, and eligibility cuts as well.³

According to the ADA's research brief, "We estimate that the total one-year increase in U.S. health care costs due to removing adult Medicaid dental benefits is $1.9 billion. This figure accounts for the increased costs due to emergency department visits for dental conditions and unmet periodontal needs among pregnant beneficiaries and beneficiaries with diabetes and coronary artery disease."³

With the uncertain future of oral health policy, the ADA and dentists nationwide are fighting for patients to have access to basic dental care. You can read the full text at "What happens if the adult Medicaid dental benefit goes away?".

References

1. American Dental Hygienists' Association releases newly revised Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice. American Dental Hygienists' Association. March 20, 2025. https://www.adha.org/newsroom/adha-releases-revised-standards/

2. Anderson O. ADA urges reauthorization of mental health bill. ADA News. March 19, 2025. https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2025/march/ada-urges-reauthorization-of-mental-health-bill/

3. Bhaumik D, Hedges I, Zaborowski M, Vujicic M. What happens if the adult Medicaid dental benefit goes away? American Dental Association. March 2025. https://www.ada.org/-/media/project/ada-organization/ada/ada-org/files/resources/research/hpi/what_happens_if_adult_medicaid_dental_goes_away.pdf?rev=a3352aa9648b45f881b9090e8039c0fd&hash=B13C8AC9000617A27B0505AACEDC8F55