CMS has added an oral health incentive as part of its merit-based payment system, according to its 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Three notes: 1. The merit-based incentive payment system adjusts Medicare reimbursements based on providers’ performance, rewarding them for…
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AI is reshaping behavioral health — but the goal isn’t automation, it’s augmentation: using technology to enhance, not replace, human care. This session explores how ethical AI can make care more personal and scalable. Grounded in standards developed by top…
Dec 10, 2025 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM America/Chicago
Presented by:
Presenters
Brad Smith Ph.D.
Senior Data Scientist, RethinkFirst
There are currently 7,341 dental professional shortage areas in the U.S., according to new data from the Health Resources and Services Administration. The HRSA updated its dashboard showing data on health workforce shortage areas Nov. 4. The dashboard also shows…
The American Fluoridation Society has spoken out against the FDA’s decision to restrict the use of ingestible fluoride products. Four notes: 1. The FDA announced Oct. 31 that it sent letters to four companies notifying them of its intent to…
A dental practice in Mesa, Ariz., was damaged after a car crashed into the building, according to a Nov. 4 report from AZ Family. Police and fire crews responded to the incident, which happened around 1:30 p.m. local time. The…
Dental supply company Henry Schein recorded $881 million in U.S. dental sales in the third quarter of 2025, according to a Nov. 4 news release from the company. Here are four additional financial notes:
Texas, Colorado, Ohio and Connecticut were the states where DSOs and dental groups were most active with practice additions, openings and acquisitions during October. Those states saw at least two DSO moves in October, as reported by Becker’s: Texas Colorado…
Phoenix-based Salt Dental Partners has added two Washington practices to its network. The DSO partnered with Parker Orthodontics in Ellensburg, Wash., and Yakima (Wash.) Orthodontics, according to a LinkedIn post from the company. Salt Dental Partners supports more than 150…
The Woodlands, Texas-based Blue Cloud Pediatric Surgery Centers plans to open its second location in South Carolina. The new office will open in Greenville, S.C., in February, according to a LinkedIn post from the company. This would mark Blue Cloud’s…
Dentists could be facing a tough year in 2026 as the needs and expectations of running a dental practice become more challenging. Scott Kalniz, DDS, chief dental officer and vice president of network development at Beam Benefits, recently spoke with…