In this edition:

• 🔎 FDA never inspected dental lab

• 🏛️ Senator introduces legislation

• 💻 Can an AI chat bot educate dental students?

• ✨ State of the art dental practice tour

• 👺 7 tips to eliminate work place drama

• And more!

FDA never inspected dental lab

The FDA never inspected Johns Dental Laboratories during more than a decade in which it made the Anterior Growth Guidance Appliance, or “AGGA,” a dental device that has allegedly harmed patients and is now the subject of a criminal investigation.

According to FDA documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, the agency “became aware” of the AGGA from a joint investigation by KFF Health News and CBS News in March 2023, then responded with its first-ever inspection of Johns Dental months later.

That inspection found that the Indiana dental device manufacturer didn’t require all customer complaints to be investigated and the company did not investigate some complaints about people being hurt by products, including the AGGA, the FDA documents state.

Senator introduces dental care reform act

Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced a bill May 17 to expand dental care coverage for veterans and low-income individuals as well as increase the oral healthcare workforce.

The Comprehensive Dental Care Reform Act of 2024 would expand Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA to provide comprehensive dental coverage to all of our nation’s seniors, veterans, and low-income children, individuals, and families.

This bill would substantially increase the number of dentists, dental hygienists, and dental therapists in America particularly in rural and under-served areas.

It would also make dental care services available in more community health centers, schools, nursing homes, and mobile units throughout the country.

Moreover, it would make dental care an essential benefit under the Affordable Care Act and increase woefully inadequate reimbursement rates for dental procedures under Medicaid.