ADA calls on senate to keep oral health measures in national defense bill
The American Dental Association (ADA) has urged the United States senate to include vital oral health provisions in the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2026. The US fiscal year begins on October 1 and ends on September 30, meaning the defense bill sets priorities and authorizations for military programs and operations for that period.
In a letter, ADA President Brett Kessler, D.D.S., and Interim Executive Director Elizabeth Shapiro, D.D.S., J.D., addressed Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. The association emphasized its support for a house-passed amendment introduced by Rep. Brian Babin, D.D.S., R-Texas.
The amendment requires a comprehensive report to congress on the accreditation of military dental treatment facilities. Specifically, it mandates data on the current scope of accreditation, identification of barriers to full compliance, assessment of resource needs, cost estimates, and recommendations to ensure successful implementation.
According to the ADA, accreditation ensures operational excellence and the highest standards of care within military medical and dental facilities. “Successful accreditation efforts help guarantee operational excellence and the highest standards of care,” the letter stated.
Oral health and military readiness
The ADA leaders stressed the direct link between oral health and military readiness. Service members with a class 3 dental readiness status—those requiring urgent dental treatment—are ineligible for deployment. Routine dental care is therefore described as “essential to maintaining military readiness.”
Drs. Kessler and Shapiro urged senate leaders to retain the oral health provisions during the reconciliation of the house and senate versions of the NDAA. “We support the aforementioned oral health provisions to promote total body health and secure the national defense,” they wrote.
The ADA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen the military dental treatment system and protect the readiness of US service members.
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