Welcome to the AAOMS Advocacy Insider, the exclusive publication for members of AAOMS’s grassroots program, the OMS Action Network. Visit AAOMS.org/Action for more information on the OMS Action Network and past editions of the AAOMS Advocacy Insider.

Items of Note

AAOMS Day on the Hill around the corner 

The AAOMS Day on the Hill is less than two weeks away. Currently, there are more than 110 OMSs and residents attending from 40 states. Registration is still open, however, the AAOMS housing block is closed, and new registrants will be responsible for securing their own housing. If you can’t make it to Day on the Hill, you can still advocate on behalf of the specialty. AAOMS will have grassroots campaigns available on all of the Day on the Hill issues so that members can encourage their constituent members of Congress to support the association’s Day on the Hill priorities from their home or office. More information will be forthcoming. 

AAOMS Challenge Coin recognizes advocates 

The AAOMS Challenge Coin serves as a symbol of recognition for individuals who have made significant advocacy contributions on behalf of the Association. While many recipients are oral and maxillofacial surgeons, non-OMS individuals who have demonstrated outstanding support for the specialty may also receive this honor.

To learn more about the Challenge Coin’s history and see past recipients, visit AAOMS.org/Challenge.

State Updates

Iowa “host permit” language moves forward

Legislation was introduced in Iowa (HF 648) to establish a host permit structure, allowing dentists to use a CRNA or physician anesthesiologist to administer moderate sedation in dental offices for patients over 13. The host permit, modeled after South Dakota's regulations, was negotiated with the Iowa Society of OMSs after a 2024 bill proposed eliminating all anesthesia provider requirements. At the request of pediatric dentists, the permit is restricted to patients over 13.

The Iowa legislature held a workgroup meeting to address technical language before voting on the host permit. Discussions included a potential delay until Jan. 1, to allow time for educational program approvals. The bill has not faced opposition, though CRNAs remain undecided. Legislators emphasized the bill's years of negotiation and its benefits for rural areas.

ISOMS supports changes to Illinois Dental Board

The Illinois State Dental Board is revisiting sedation regulations changes to the chagrin of pediatric dentists. In response, the Illinois Society of Pediatric Dentists has proposed a bill (SB 1325) that, following amendments and negotiation among dental providers in the state, would amend the board’s composition. The proposal would require a Permit A (moderate sedation) and a Permit B (deep sedation/general anesthesia) holder serve on the board. The Illinois Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (ISOMS) supports this measure to ensure OMS representation. Efforts are ongoing and pediatric dentists are pushing for a pediatric dentist to hold the Permit A position as part of the proposed changes.

Anesthesia-related activities continue in New Hampshire

During its March meeting, the New Hampshire Board of Dental Examiners reviewed proposed changes to the states’ sedation regulations, which included several significant updates from the language adopted and rejected in 2024. New provisions allow dentist anesthesiologists and OMSs to apply for an exemption from having a separate anesthesia provider when treating patients 13 and under, provided that all previous requirements, such as an airway course, ASA evaluation, and PALS-certified staff, remain. A provision allowing DAANCE certification in lieu of PALS is currently being evaluated. 

Additionally, for patients aged 8 and under, dentist anesthesiologists and OMSs must secure a pediatric endorsement, which includes completing a CODA-accredited residency program within the last two years and documenting performance of at least 50 pediatric deep sedation or general anesthesia cases in this age group over the previous two years. An emergency exemption process has also been included, allowing providers to bypass these requirements in urgent situations and simply require the provider to submit a form to the dental board.

Debate over the proposed changes, particularly regarding the threshold for DS/GA requirements for patients under 8, remain ongoing, and the board is looking into Medicaid administrative data for the state. The board must vote on the final language in April to meet a submission deadline dictated by the state legislature. 

Simultaneously, NHSOMS, in collaboration with multi-specialty dental provider coalition, has been advocating for HB 470, a bill to reverse dental board’s original proposal and align the state regulations with national standards. The bill passed unanimously in committee on March 5, with support from NHSOMS and the state dental association.

Bill proposes exemption for dual-licensed OMSs 

Nevada doctors testified in favor of AB 221, which would exempt dual-licensed OMSs from the medical board’s anesthesia inspection and accreditation requirements when performing dental procedures. The hearing took place on Monday and went well, with all questions from legislators addressed and no opposition raised.

Utah set to ban fluoride in public drinking water

Utah is on course to become the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water after the state house and senate passed HB 81. Gov. Spencer Cox (R) has stated he would sign the bill if it reaches his desk. The decision comes despite widespread consensus among health experts that fluoride is effective in preventing tooth decay and improving oral health. Supporters of the ban argue it protects individual choice, while opponents warn it could lead to an increase in dental health issues. The move is expected to spark similar legislative efforts in other states.

Wyoming makes progress on virtual credit cards

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon (R) signed SF 158 into law, which establishes requirements for third-party access to dental network contracts and payment methods. The bill prohibits dental care plans from requiring virtual credit card payments, mandates disclosure of associated fees, ensures providers can choose fee-free payment options and restricts fees for electronic payments without provider consent.

Federal Updates

Legislation of interest to the specialty introduced

Several bills of interest to the specialty have been introduced in the last few weeks. Most notably, the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act (S 942/HR 2028) was reintroduced on March 11 by Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and John Boozman, OD (R-Ark.) as well as Reps. Brian Babin, DDS (R-Texas) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.). The REDI Act would allow physicians and dentists to defer their federal student loans interest free while in residency, saving them tens of thousands of dollars in interest. A press release from Sen. Rosen includes a quote from AAOMS President J. David Morrison, DMD about the importance of the REDI Act. The AAOMS-led bill also has the support of nearly 40 other medical and dental organizations. Other bills of interest include: 

- The Dental and Optometric Care (DOC) Access Act (HR 1521) by Reps. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) and Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.). The bill would prohibit dental and optometric plans covered under ERISA from capping fees on services they do not otherwise cover. Currently, 43 states have similar laws; however, federal legislation also is needed, as many dental plans are regulated at the federal level by ERISA rather than at the state level. AAOMS signed onto a coalition letter in support of the bill. 

- The Action for Dental Health Act (HR 2001) by Reps. Mike Simpson, DMD (R-Idaho) and Robin Kelly (D-Ill.). The bill would extend funding to organizations through an oral health workforce grant program to address access to care and dental workforce-related issues.

- The Dental Loan Repayment Assistance Act (HR 1758) by Reps. Jeff Van Drew, DMD (R-N.J.) and Yvette Clark (D-N.Y.). The bill would allow full-time faculty members participating in the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Dental Faculty Loan Repayment Program to exclude the amount of their loan forgiveness from federal income taxes. The program aims to recruit and retain dental faculty, specifically in the areas of general, pediatric and public health dentistry.

Urge Senators to halt Medicare physician payment cuts

Congressional leaders promised to address the 2.83 percent pay cut that Medicare providers began facing on Jan. 1 in a final, must-pass fiscal year 2025 funding bill. Earlier this week, the House passed its version of the bill without halting the Medicare cut. Please contact your constituent Senators to urge them to include the Medicare fix in the Senate version of the bill. AAOMS supports the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act (HR 879), which would halt the 2.83 percent cut and provide a 6.62 percent payment update effective April 1 through the end of the year to offset the existing cut and account for inflation. AAOMS has a grassroots campaign available urging Senators to include this bill in the final funding package. Add your voice to our efforts!

House and Senate pass budget resolutions

Senate and House Republicans successfully passed their fiscal 2025 budget resolutions (S Con Res 7 and H Con Res 14) on Feb. 21 and Feb. 25, respectively – a necessary step toward crafting a filibuster-proof reconciliation package that includes many of President Trump’s priorities. The Senate resolution allocates spending for energy, defense and immigration, offset by corresponding cuts, while delaying action to permanently extend Trump's 2017 tax cuts and raise the nation’s debt limit. The House resolution includes tax cuts and the debt limit hike alongside energy, defense and immigration spending. Potential cuts to Medicaid, Pell Grants and SNAP are part of the discussion to reach the $1.5 trillion in spending cuts that House GOP leaders promised. The House and Senate bills need to be reconciled before Congress can move forward with crafting a reconciliation package. Small-business tax cuts are among several potential issues related to the specialty that could be addressed in the reconciliation bill.

Legislative Sessions

States currently in regular session

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin