AGD Sends FY2023 Appropriations Request to Congress
Last week, the AGD sent a letter to Congressional appropriators on the House and Senate Labor, Health and Humans Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittees with recommendations for funding critical dental workforce and oral-related programs in FY2023 appropriations legislation. The recommendations include key AGD priorities that seek to improve oral health in the United States and advance general dentistry.
Regarding oral health literacy, AGD urged Senate appropriators to adopt report language in the House proposal that provides $300,000 to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to continue developing an oral health awareness and education campaign. AGD has successfully led efforts to include funding for the oral health awareness and education campaign since 2019.
Current legislative proposals include language that would eliminate the prohibition on using HRSA funds to support alternative dental providers, such as dental therapists. AGD strongly encouraged appropriators to retain the prohibition. Midlevel providers do not have the same training and educational background as practicing dentists, and as such, are not equipped to care for the unique medical needs of underserved populations.
AGD thanked appropriators for including funding to HRSA for the Title VII Primary Care Dental Training Cluster and requested equitable allocations for General and Pediatric Dentistry programs as well as an increase in topline program funding for Oral Health Training. AGD also expressed support for language that directs HRSA to provide a continuation of funding for dental faculty loan repayment program (DFLRP) grants.
Impact on General Dentistry: The AGD remains actively engaged in the FY2023 appropriations process and continues to advocate for oral health programs and funding to improve health outcomes, expand access to care, and promote general dentistry. AGD’s FY2023 recommendations also address issues concerning Medicaid and dental provider audits, student loan debt, and flawed methodologies for determining Health Professional Shortage Areas. For more information, please see AGD’s appropriations request letter.
Regarding oral health literacy, AGD urged Senate appropriators to adopt report language in the House proposal that provides $300,000 to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to continue developing an oral health awareness and education campaign. AGD has successfully led efforts to include funding for the oral health awareness and education campaign since 2019.
Current legislative proposals include language that would eliminate the prohibition on using HRSA funds to support alternative dental providers, such as dental therapists. AGD strongly encouraged appropriators to retain the prohibition. Midlevel providers do not have the same training and educational background as practicing dentists, and as such, are not equipped to care for the unique medical needs of underserved populations.
AGD thanked appropriators for including funding to HRSA for the Title VII Primary Care Dental Training Cluster and requested equitable allocations for General and Pediatric Dentistry programs as well as an increase in topline program funding for Oral Health Training. AGD also expressed support for language that directs HRSA to provide a continuation of funding for dental faculty loan repayment program (DFLRP) grants.
Impact on General Dentistry: The AGD remains actively engaged in the FY2023 appropriations process and continues to advocate for oral health programs and funding to improve health outcomes, expand access to care, and promote general dentistry. AGD’s FY2023 recommendations also address issues concerning Medicaid and dental provider audits, student loan debt, and flawed methodologies for determining Health Professional Shortage Areas. For more information, please see AGD’s appropriations request letter.