The American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) has raised concerns over staff cuts at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), warning that they threaten oral health programs across the nation.
The ADHA states that reductions in the CDC's Division of Oral Health risk dismantling crucial initiatives like oral health education, water fluoridation monitoring, and school-based dental sealant programs that support millions of children.
Furthermore, the cuts could undo decades of progress in preventing dental disease and reducing disparities, the organization said. The ADHA urges the administration and Congress to restore funding and staffing, stressing that preventive oral health programs are essential to lowering healthcare costs and protecting vulnerable populations.
Additionally, they call on dental professionals, public health advocates, and citizens to push lawmakers for sustained support of these programs.
