RFK Jr. appears before Senate Finance Committee in confirmation hearing
ADA submits statement for the record outlining key oral health priorities
Prior to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appearing before the Senate during his confirmation hearing, the ADA sent a letter to Senate leaders outlining its key priorities to improve oral health for Americans.
Mr. Kennedy appeared before the Senate Committee on Finance Jan. 29 as President Donald Trump’s nominee to be secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The ADA submitted a statement for the record ahead of the hearing, sharing priorities that aim to improve access to care, integrate oral health into broader health care systems and promote evidence-based approaches to public health challenges.
In a letter addressed to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., the ADA highlighted policy issues it said should be prioritized by the Department of Health and Human Services.
ADA President Brett Kessler, D.D.S., and Executive Director Raymond Cohlmia, D.D.S., acknowledged in the letter that community water fluoridation is a continued subject of public discussion, and that the ADA supports its implementation at levels recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service. The Association added that it looks forward to collaborating with the Department of Health and Human Services to address concerns, evaluate emerging research and ensure that public health decisions related to fluoridation “uphold the principles of evidence-based policymaking and transparency.”
Drs. Kessler and Cohlmia also said protecting funding and increased investment for the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research as a separate and unique institute within the National Institutes of Health is “of paramount importance.” They wrote that the ADA opposes the proposed consolidation of the National Institute of Health’s 27 institutes and centers into 15 newly renamed centers could erode the innovation that comes from targeted research efforts.
“The ADA remains committed to working with NIH leadership, Congress, and the administration to ensure that any proposed changes enhance, rather than hinder, the ability of NIH and NIDCR to fulfill their missions. The ADA firmly believes that maintaining NIDCR’s distinct identity and focus is essential for advancing oral health research and innovation, ultimately improving the health and well-being of all Americans,” reads the letter.
The letter goes on to call for an expansion of Medicaid and adult dental benefits, which the ADA said is essential to improving access to care for vulnerable populations, reducing health care costs and addressing health disparities. The ADA urged the prioritization of policies that integrate oral health into overall health care delivery and the establishment of chief dental officer roles within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Drs. Kessler and Cohlmia also called for increased funding and modernization of the Indian Health Service, integrating dental records into federal interoperability standards, collaborating with the U.S. Public Health Service and Health Resources and Services Administration to promote recruitment and retention of dental professionals for underserved communities, working to promote safe prescribing practices to mitigate opioid and substance abuse, and partnering with the Food and Drug Administration to ensure safety and efficacy of dental devices and drugs.
To be confirmed, Mr. Kennedy can only lose three Republican votes if all Senate Democrats vote against him on the Senate floor. Sen. Crapo said the Senate Finance Committee expects to first hold a committee vote next week ahead of any floor vote.
“The ADA looks forward to collaborating with the incoming secretary and HHS leadership to advance these priorities and improve oral health for all Americans. We are confident that together we can promote evidence-based policymaking and address the critical oral health challenges facing our nation,” the ADA letter reads.
