On Feb. 26, 2018, the House voted 387-13 to pass H.R. 2422, the Action for Dental Health Act. Introduced by Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) and Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID), H.R. 2422 targets federal dollars to state and local dental organizations to provide proven oral health care services in a manner that effectively addresses the barriers to dental care many Americans face. Similar versions of this bill were introduced in 2014 and 2015. The American Dental Association was instrumental in working with Congresswoman Kelly to develop this bill.

For this bill to move forward, a Senate sponsor will need to introduce companion legislation. From there it can move through the Committee markup process before being taken up by the full Senate.

Impact on General Dentistry: The AGD fully supports the bill’s goal of expanding access to oral health care for the underserved and its efforts to increase oral health literacy and will continue to work with the American Dental Association to generate support for this important legislation.