The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) has raised serious concerns over workforce reductions at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which could undermine critical oral health prevention programs across the United States. The cuts, according to the association, threaten essential public health infrastructure that supports preventive care efforts for millions of Americans.
According to the ADHA, the recent reductions in the CDC’s Division of Oral Health could disrupt programs such as oral health literacy initiatives, community water fluoridation monitoring, and school-based dental sealant programs, all of which play a key role in preventing oral health issues, particularly among at-risk populations.
“Oral health is not separate from overall health — it is an integral part of it,” said Erin Haley-Hitz, president of the ADHA. “These cuts significantly weaken our ability to prevent and manage conditions that have well-documented links to systemic illnesses. We cannot afford to backslide on the progress we have made. The erosion of these essential programs will lead to worsening health outcomes, higher healthcare expenditures, and a decline in quality of life for countless Americans.”
The CDC’s Division of Oral Health has long been recognized for its national leadership in surveillance, research, and evidence-based prevention programs. The ADHA warns that these workforce reductions may reverse decades of progress in addressing oral health disparities and preventing dental diseases.
The association is calling on the administration and Congress to recognize the importance of preventive oral health programs in reducing long-term healthcare costs and maintaining public health. Without adequate support for these programs, the burden of oral disease is expected to escalate, particularly among underserved groups such as children, older adults, and low-income communities.
The ADHA is urging dental professionals, public health advocates, and citizens to contact their elected representatives to advocate for the immediate restoration of funding and staffing for these crucial programs.
The ADHA is sharing the following link for dental professionals to use to find their elected representatives: usa.gov/elected-officials.
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