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SFG Comments on the CY 2026 Physician Fee Schedule:
Advancing Medical-Dental Integration in Medicare

The Santa Fe Group submitted comments on the CY 2026 Physician Fee Schedule, supporting stronger Medical-Dental Integration in Medicare, including oral health risk assessment and screening within primary care. The letter also calls for clearer Medicare payment when dental care is integral to diabetes care.

MUST READS

Shaping the Future of Dentistry

Rick Valachovic reflects on how dentistry must evolve to meet new challenges, from equity and prevention to AI and robotics, and calls for a “moral community” of professionals ready to lead.

OPINION: Dental care is increasingly under threat in the U.S.

Melissa Burroughs of CareQuest Institute warns that fluoride rollbacks, along with policy moves affecting Medicaid and Medicare, could deepen the oral health crisis. She calls on HHS and CMS to protect prevention and stabilize coverage.

Modern Dentistry Is a Microplastic Minefield

The Atlantic explores how modern dentistry depends on plastics, the environmental costs, and efforts to find sustainable alternatives.

House Passes Defense Bill with ADA-supported Dental Provisions

The recently passed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) contains measures to strengthen dental care for U.S. service members.

The Missing Piece in Chronic Disease Prevention: Dental Caries

CDC’s Preventing Chronic Disease argues caries prevention belongs in every chronic-disease strategy playbook.

AROUND THE WORLD

Mexico Pushes Preventive Health, Targets Sugary Drinks

Mexico is stepping up prevention with a national campaign that targets sugary drinks to curb obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Health Minister David Kershenobich outlined the effort as part of a broader public health agenda.

Length: 00:55:36 minutes

Listen to SFG’s board member, Lisa Simon, MD, DMD, talk to Burkhard Bilger as they discuss Mexico’s “Molar City,” Los Algodones, a place that has the highest per capita concentration of dentists in the world, to get his teeth fixed.

REASON TO SMILE

How Pediatricians Are Helping More Ohio Kids Get Dental Care

A statewide pilot trained pediatricians to provide preventive oral health during well visits. The result? More kids referred, fewer cavities, and a 4% drop in surgeries — a bright win for children’s health.