The Michigan Oral Health Coalition (MOHC) works to create a large, interconnected network of national, state and local advocates dedicated to working collaboratively on advocacy, education and awareness of oral health. We strive to keep our members informed on topics relevant to today's oral health advocates. The mission of MOHC is to equitably optimize oral health for all Michiganders.

Legislative Schedule

The Michigan State Legislature conducted business on the final scheduled session days of 2025 – Tuesday, December 16, Wednesday, December 17, and Thursday, December 18.

Prior to adjournment for the year, both chambers adopted House Concurrent Resolution 4, which states that when the Legislature adjourns on December 18, it remains adjourned until December 23, at 11:30 a.m. Then, when the Legislature adjourned on December 23, 2025, it stands adjourned for the year.

Legislative Update

House Eliminates $645 Million in Work Projects

On December 10, House Republicans voted to disapprove $645 million ($351.5 million General Fund) in work projects. Work projects are requests by the State Budget Office to carry forward funding from the previous fiscal year and allow those dollars to be utilized for the original purpose over a 48-month period.

In previous years, work project appropriations generally continued until completion or lapse of funds. However, the House Appropriations Committee disapproved of a number of work projects, allowing the funds to lapse back into the state’s General Fund. Under state law, either the House or Senate appropriations committee can vote to reject the administration's work projects request within 30 days of notice. The House appropriations committee's 16-9 vote was almost entirely along party lines, with one Republican, Representative Ron Robinson (R-Utica), joining Democrats in voting no.

While Senate Democrats passed a supplemental appropriations bill to reinstate the work project funding, the House did not take action on it prior to adjournment for the year.

Policy Committee Update

The MOHC Policy Committee is actively working on updating our policy priorities document for 2026. In the new year, we will also finalize the Fiscal Year 2026 – 2027 budget document, which will include our members’ oral health related asks for the upcoming fiscal year.

2025 MOHC Partners

The Michigan Oral Health Coalition is grateful for the members and partners who make this coalition strong by bringing trusted expertise, local insight, and a shared commitment to improving oral health across Michigan. Thank you for the collaboration, advocacy, and steady partnership that drives meaningful impact.

The Michigan Oral Health Coalition is pleased to announce the appointment of Kimberly Raleigh, EdD, MHSA, RDH, as Executive Director. Raleigh has supported MOHC in multiple roles in recent years, including as interim executive director, and brings strong leadership experience in communications, association building and oral health education. She has helped guide MOHC’s efforts to strengthen statewide partnerships and develop evidence-informed tools, messaging and training resources for communities and oral health professionals. Under her leadership, MOHC’s continuing education participation has increased by 769% in two years through expanded online training opportunities designed to meet the evolving needs of oral health professionals. Raleigh holds degrees in dental hygiene and health services administration and recently completed a Doctor of Education focused on effective healthcare learning strategies. In this role, she will continue to guide MOHC’s strategic direction, elevate member and community engagement, and help drive measurable impact statewide. She can be reached at KRaleigh@mohc.org or 517-599-3968.

The Michigan Oral Health Coalition is excited to share the Community Water Fluoridation (CWF) Toolkit, a comprehensive, evidence-based resource. This toolkit offers guidance, communication tools, policy resources, and educational materials to help communities all over Michigan.

The toolkit includes public outreach materials (social media content, op-eds, Q&A resources, letter templates, and customizable position statements), community assessment tools to determine fluoridation status and compliance with recommended levels, and educational resources that address common myths and clearly explain the science, safety, and cost-effectiveness of fluoridation. It also provides communication tools for providers, best practices and case studies from successful communities, and policy guidance to support long-term sustainability through governance, funding, and community engagement.

Together, these resources offer a step-by-step framework for building trust, countering misinformation, and strengthening local support for one of the safest, most equitable, and most cost-effective public health measures available. Visit the MOHC website to view the toolkit.

Michigan is set to receive $173,128,201 in FY 2026 through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Rural Health Transformation Program, a new federal initiative designed to strengthen access to care and improve health outcomes in rural communities. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), this investment will help support rural health care delivery across the state as providers navigate ongoing financial pressures.

MDHHS’ proposal—shaped by an online survey and two listening sessions—focuses on: strengthening regional partnerships among rural hospitals, clinics, and community organizations; recruiting and retaining rural health professionals (including behavioral health providers and community health workers); expanding technology and interoperability (including telehealth and remote patient monitoring); and building digital referral networks that better connect residents to local care, prevention, and wellness resources.

Read the full MDHHS press release for details on Michigan’s plan and how the funding will be used.

The Genesee County Oral Health Coalition, led by Genesee Health Plan (GHP) and in partnership with the MOHC, works to connect residents with oral health education and dental coverage—especially those who are uninsured, including veterans and seniors. Over the past year, GHP convened quarterly coalition meetings with community organizations and providers to promote preventive care, strengthen connections to local resources and discuss upcoming Medicaid changes. GHP leadership also participated in MOHC local coalition meetings to stay aligned with statewide priorities and share local insights.

GHP’s outreach reached 6,207 Genesee County residents, providing education on dental coverage options, benefits and the importance of establishing a dental home. In addition, GHP helped 5,247 people enroll in dental coverage, including 2,864 individuals in GHP (Delta Dental) benefits, 1,973 in Medicaid dental and 410 in Affordable Care Act dental options—helping more families access routine care and preventive services. For more information, contact dmaxson@countyhealthplans.org. Click here for additional photos.

HPV and Oral Cancer Prevention: The Dental Team’s Role

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a major driver of oropharyngeal cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates HPV causes about 60% to 70% of oropharyngeal cancers in the United States, and HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer is the most common HPV-associated cancer among males (CDC). For dental professionals, this is a practical prevention opportunity: incorporate HPV history and vaccination status into the medical history, reinforce that vaccination is cancer prevention, and normalize a brief recommendation during routine oral cancer screening conversations. CDC recommends routine HPV vaccination at ages 11-12 and says it can start at age 9; catch-up vaccination is recommended through age 26, with shared clinical decision-making for adults ages 27-45 (CDC).

Patients who start the series before age 15 typically need two doses, while those starting at 15 or older and immunocompromised patients need three doses (CDC). The American Dental Association has urged dentists to support HPV vaccination for cancer prevention, and recent dental literature continues to focus on effective chairside counseling and referral pathways to improve uptake (ADA). In a Dec. 11, 2025 letter supporting the bipartisan PREVENT HPV Cancers Act, the ADA said dentists play a key role in preventing HPV-associated cancers and emphasized expanding public awareness and vaccination education. 

In-Kind Donation Resource

The Delta Dental Foundation (DDF) provides in-kind materials—including oral health brochures, educational materials, toothbrushes, floss, toothpaste, and more—to qualifying organizations and programs.

Requests submitted now through February 28 will be shipped during March.



For more information or to apply, visit the Delta Dental Foundation website.

MOHC Advocacy Day

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

State Capital, Lansing

MOHC Annual Conference

Thursday-Friday, May 14-15, 2026

DoubleTree, Lansing