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. | | |
The Michigan Oral Health Coalition's Fall Member and Community Meeting will bring together statewide partners to discuss the latest policy, programmatic, and advocacy developments shaping oral health in Michigan.
This year's agenda features updates on the State Oral Health Plan, a state budget and policy briefing, and a federal policy and timeline update. Participants will also receive a preview of MOHC's new Community Water Fluoridation (CWF) Toolkit and learn about next steps for advancing prevention and health equity across Michigan.
MOHC leadership will share the State of the Coalition and opportunities for engagement as we move into 2026. All members, partners, and oral health advocates are encouraged to attend and lend their voice to the conversation on building a healthier Michigan.
View the full schedule and register now!
| | Free Continuing Education | | |
Legislative Update
House Health Policy Takes Up Dental Bills
The state legislature has returned to a more normal legislative schedule following passage of the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget in early October.
Most recently, the House Health Policy Committee took up legislation in the oral health professional’s space:
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House Bills 4593 & 4594: These bills would prohibit a dentist from presenting themselves as a specialist in any recognized specialty field unless they hold an official specialty license. Dentists would also be barred from claiming to specialize in areas of dentistry for which a specialty license does not exist (currently, there are 12 recognized fields).
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House Bill 4910: This bill would require the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to grant continuing education credit to dental professionals who participate in courses offered through certain professional associations, as long as those associations have been approved as a CE provider by LARA.
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House Bill 4935: This bill would enter Michigan into the Dentist and Dental Hygienist interstate compact to allow licensed dentists and dental hygienists in participating states to practice across state lines. All details, including state requirements, compact privilege, rulemaking, and oversight, among other key sections, can be found within the bill.
Legislative Schedule
Four Weeks of Scheduled Session Days Left
Scheduled session days for the year are dwindling as the House and Senate are currently not scheduled for session November 18 – 28 for the state’s hunting and Thanksgiving break. Upon return on December 2, the House and Senate have scheduled session days until December 18, when they are expected to break for the remainder of the year.
You can find the most recent Senate session calendar here, and the House session calendar here.
Regulatory Update
MDHHS Issues HKD Procurement Requirements
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has announced updated requirements for dental health plans providing services to Michigan children covered by Medicaid and Michigan’s Healthy Kids Dental Program ahead of the competitive bid process scheduled for November. Updates to the rebid include network adequacy and timely access standards. The press release with additional information can be found here.
| | Community Water Fluoridation Updates | | |
Wyandotte:
On Oct. 22, Wyandotte commissioners voted 2–2 on whether to resume fluoridating the city’s drinking water. Unfortunately, this means Wyandotte will not restore fluoride to the city's drinking water. Read more about it on Planet Detroit.
St. Clair County:
On October 15, the St. Clair County Advisory Board of Health voted to support Medical Director Dr. Remington Nevin’s request that the Health Department consider drafting regulations to prohibit fluoridation at local water filtration plants. Read more about the St. Clair County debate and watch the Oct. 15 St Clair County Board of Health meeting.
The Michigan Oral Health Coalition remains committed to advocating for community water fluoridation and is proud to share this patient resource.
| | Unapproved Fluoride Products for Children | | |
On October 31, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced actions to restrict the sale of unapproved ingestible fluoride prescription products for children. The agency has notified four companies that it intends to take action against products marketed for children under age 3, as well as for older children who are not at high risk for tooth decay.
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the FDA’s warning about single-ingredient fluoride supplements may lead to these products being removed from the market. However, the agency does not regulate traditional dietary supplements—such as multivitamins—in the same way, so multivitamins that contain fluoride are expected to remain available.
| | Action Update: Rural Health Transformation Plan | | |
Michigan submitted its Rural Health Transformation Plan to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Because of its large rural regions, it did not include specific vendors, technologies, or facilities. Instead, the state proposed several grant opportunities for healthcare providers serving rural communities, to be made available once funding is awarded.
MOHC has made recommendations to prioritize the following:
- Expand Teledentistry and Rural Technology Access
- Strengthen the Rural Oral Health Workforce
- Integrate Oral Health into Rural Primary & Maternal Care
- Invest in Rural Prevention & Education
- Improve Data Collection & System Integration
CMS is expected to announce state awards by December 31, 2025, and information on Michigan’s upcoming grant opportunities will be shared in early 2026.
| | Local Coalition Spotlight | | |
The Wayne County Oral Health Coalition (WCOHC) is one of the local coalitions partnering with MOHC to advocate for oral health access and equity. The coalition has more than 55 active members from community-based, faith-based, educational, health, and social service organizations.
This year, WCOHC received a $6,000 grant from MOHC, supported by the United Health Organization, to strengthen community outreach, education, and infrastructure. Grant funds supported oral health supply distribution, participation in community events, website maintenance, educational materials, transportation, and volunteer engagement.
These efforts expanded WCOHC’s reach and impact, delivering vital oral health resources to underserved communities across Wayne County.
To learn more and get involved, visit WCOHC.org
| | In-Kind Donation Resource | | |
Did you know? 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.
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Overdose Prevention Resources
| | Call to Action: Leadership in Oral Health | | |
Three leading national organizations—the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors, the National Network for Oral Health Access, and the American Association of Public Health Dentistry—have issued a joint call to action for stronger philanthropic leadership in oral health. Their message highlights both the urgent need and the unique opportunity for philanthropy to invest in oral health at a time when federal support is being significantly reduced. Read more here.
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MOHC Advocacy Day
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
State Capital, Lansing
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MOHC Annual Conference
Thursday-Friday, May 14-15, 2026
DoubleTree, Lansing
| | More information and registration will be available in early 2026! | | | | |
