Home / Advocacy / Advocacy Initiatives / Federal Impacts on Dentistry in California

ADA, CDA and other health organizations are monitoring federal efforts and trends across the U.S. that could severely impact individuals’ oral and overall health. We’re engaging with public health leaders and policymakers on multiple areas of concern to ensure the dental profession and Californians’ oral health remain top priorities.
Together, we’re fighting for oral health equity and access, sound science, the sustainability of dental practice productivity and the future health of communities in California and beyond.
We believe community water fluoridation is the single most cost-effective, equitable and safe public health measure to prevent tooth decay and improve oral health.
We believe Medi-Cal Dental is vital to Californians’ overall health and proposed Medicaid cuts would undermine past progress, harm patients and hurt dentists’ confidence in the program.
We believe robust loan and repayment options help maintain the essential workforce and support practice model flexibility, and that clinics, schools and dental offices must be able to hire qualified clinicians.
We believe that tariffs on dental products and materials create hardships for small business owners, limit the availability of essential supplies and ultimately increase the costs of essential care.
We’re joining health care and professional organizations to support optimal oral health and access to resources for all people, especially those who are at greatest risk of dental disease.
Here are recent stories that can help inform your understanding of these efforts and trends. We’ll continue to add more news and resources as these issues evolve:
(CDA, Aug. 19, 2025)
(ADA, Jan. 30, 2026)
(CDA, Nov. 10, 2025)
(ADA, July 2025)
(CDA, April 2, 2025)
(ADA, March 5, 2025)
(ADA, March 5, 2025)
(CDA, Jan. 15, 2026)
(CDA, Nov. 7, 2025)
(CDA, Sept. 19, 2025)
(NPR, July 24, 2025)
(ADA, April 1, 2025)
