House Passes H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

On May 22, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which outlines spending cuts to many federal programs. Several proposed cuts would directly impact dental students and public health. 

The House Education Committee included provisions in the bill that would make drastic changes to federal student loans, including: 

• Eliminating unsubsidized loans for undergraduate students. 
• Capping borrowing limits for both undergraduate and professional programs at $200,000. 
• Eliminating the Grad PLUS loan program 
• Tying borrowing limits for federal loans to the median cost of attendance, regardless of actual cost. 
• Reducing the number of repayment plans to two, limiting students’ flexibility to pay back their loans. 

The Congressional Budget Office has indicated that the OBBB would also cut Medicaid spending by $723 billion. The CBO also estimates that the proposal would increase the number of uninsured Americans by 7.6 million. 

If the Senate changes anything in their version of the reconciliation bill, it will go back to the House for consideration. Republican leaders in Congress have set a lofty goal to send the OBBB to President Trump’s desk by July 4. 

Trump Signs Executive Order on HBCUs, Foreign Influence in Higher Education

On April 23, President Trump signed two executive orders impacting higher education institutions. 

The White House Initiative to Promote Excellence and Innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) aims to increase the role of private sector entities in providing financial support for HBCUs, as well as support innovation and workforce development at these institutions. 

The Transparency Regarding Foreign Influence at American Universities executive order seeks to provide strict enforcement for higher education institutions to report foreign funding they receive. The Trump administration asserts that the failure to enforce Section 117 of the Higher Education Act poses national security threats. The order claims to “end the secrecy surrounding foreign funds in American educational institutions, protect the marketplace of ideas from propaganda sponsored by foreign governments, and safeguard America’s students and research from foreign exploitation. 

DOE Closure Reversed by District Court Judge

On May 22, A federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s executive order to close the Department of Education. Because the executive order would have reduced the agency’s staff by more than half, U.S. District Court Judge Myong Joun ruled that the order would require congressional approval. 

Judge Joun’s injunction requires the Department of Education to reinstate employees who were previously fired from the agency as part of mass layoffs. The Trump administration filed an appeal to the decision, but no decision has been made yet.

ASDA will continue to monitor changes to the Department of Education, especially as they relate to higher education and student loans. 

FDA Announces Proposed Ban of Ingestible Fluoride for Children

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in a May 13 press release that the agency plans to take steps to take ingestible fluoride prescription products off the market for children. These steps outline a safety review and period for public comment. The FDA has set a deadline goal of October 31 to complete these steps and effectively ban ingestible fluoride for children. 

In the press release, FDA Commissioner Martin Makary, M.D., M.P.H., incorrectly asserted that fluoride kills bacteria on teeth and that “it may also kill intestinal bacteria important for a child’s health.” Fluoride works to strengthen the enamel and cannot kill bacteria. 

Supplemental fluoride products can be critical in preventing tooth decay in communities with low levels of fluoridated water. 

Fluoride Updates

Florida Becomes Second State to Ban Fluoride

On May 16, Florida became the second state to ban fluoride in community water supplies. The measure comes from SB 700, the Florida Farm Bill, and bans “certain additives” in public water systems but does not mention fluoride by name.  

When Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo announced his guidance on banning fluoride in water in November 2024, he suggested that fluoride exposure increases the “neuropsychiatric risk” for children and pregnant persons. These claims are contrary to decades of research on fluorie at appropriate levels.

Louisiana Takes Steps to Ban Fluoride

Following the steps of Utah and Florida, the Louisiana state Senate passed a bill that seeks to ban fluoride in public water supplies. The bill includes a provision that would permit fluoridation if 15% of registered voters in an area served by a single water system present a petition. A majority of registered voters would then have to vote in favor of fluoridating their community’s water supply. 

State Sen. Patrick McMath (R), who helped write the bill, described this process as “incredibly difficult” and likened it to recalling an elected official. 

The bill has been sent to Louisiana’s House of Representatives for consideration. 

Texas Attorney General Concerning Remarks on Fluoride

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into how companies are marketing fluoride products—like toothpaste—to kids. In a May 1 press release, the Texas AG announced he sent Civil Investigative Demands to Colgate and Proctor & Gamble (producer of Crest toothpaste) for using “misleading, deceptive, and dangerous” marketing tactics to sell fluoridated toothpaste to parents. 

The press release cites the National Toxicology Program’s 2024 study which suggested that exposure to fluoride amounts over twice the recommended level could lower children’s IQ. It also includes the ADA’s recommendation that parents should use a “pea-sized amount” of toothpaste for kids aged 3 to 6. It goes on to incorrectly state the ADA’s recommendation stems from the “well-known acute and long-term risks associated with fluoride overdose.” 

New York Bill Seeks to Allow Parent-applied Fluoride Varnish

The New York State Senate passed a bill that would allow parents or legal guardians to apply topical fluoride varnish on their children under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist.

The Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy reports that less than one-third of New York children on Medicaid visit the dentist for preventative check-ups. Even as fluoride continues to face unprecedented scrutiny in a number of states, New York's proposed measure intends to make science-backed preventative care accessible to all children.

The bill is now being considered in the New York State Assembly’s Higher Education Committee. 

Licensure Updates

Read more about proposed and passed changes to dental licensure in: 

• Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed a law amending the state’s Dental Practice Act. 
• Iowa adopted a law allowing individuals to practice as dental assistants without certification from the Iowa Dental Board. 
• Louisiana’s State Legislature passed a bill to join the Interstate Dental & Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact. 
• Oklahoma’s Senate Bill 669 includes sweeping reforms to dental licensure. 
• South Carolina is updating the process for obtaining faculty licenses.