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.

Election Update

Senate Dems Regain Two-Seat Majority

Last month, the Tri-City area finally received a chance to vote in the long-awaited special election in Michigan's 35^th state Senate district. Democrat Chedrick Greene won the race against Republican candidate Jason Tunney. The 35^th district seat has remained empty since January 2025, when the previous Senator, Democrat Kristen McDonald-Rivet, was elected to Congress and resigned from her state Senate position. In 2022, McDonald-Rivet won the seat with 53% of the vote.

Senator Greene was sworn in weeks later, giving the Democratic-led Senate their two-seat majority. He will soon dive back into campaigning as the Governor, Senate, and House will all be facing elections this November.

Duggan Drops Out of Gubernatorial Race

On May 21, former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan ended his independent campaign for Governor. His decision to bow out of the race came after polls in recent months failed to show his campaign gaining any upward momentum. In his statement, Duggan professed he no longer saw a path to victory. His independent candidacy had complicated this year’s gubernatorial race and drew heavy criticism from both the Michigan Democratic and Republican parties.

Budget Update

Revenues Revised Upwards for FY 27

During the May 15 Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference (CREC), the House Fiscal Agency, Senate Fiscal Agency, and the Department of the Treasury adopted new revenue estimates for the current and upcoming fiscal years.

For Fiscal Year 2026-2027 (FY 27), combined revenues for the General Fund and School Aid Fund were revised upwards by $173.8 million. This includes a $94.2 million increase in the General Fund and a $79.6 million increase in the School Aid Fund. The state is still facing a gap of more than $1 billion, but it has been slightly reduced by newly adopted revenues.

These updated revenues now set the stage for the House, Senate, and Executive to begin negotiations and approve a final FY 27 budget by the July 1 statutory deadline. Relevant documents from the CREC can be found here.

MOHC Advocacy Day Recap

MOHC held its annual Advocacy Day on May 13, during which advocates met with over 30 legislative offices to discuss protecting Michigan’s Medicaid dental program and to highlight key budget priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.

Neither the House nor Senate budget proposal included cuts to Medicaid Dental, and we were pleased to hear this commitment to preserving the program reiterated by legislative offices during our Advocacy Day meetings.

Regulatory Update

MDHHS Issues Proposed Medicaid Policy

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently released a proposed Medicaid policy stemming from H.R. 1. This proposed policy would change existing Medicaid policy to prohibit certain non-citizens from being eligible for Medicaid starting October 1, 2026.

We await additional information from MDHHS, as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released an Interim Final Rule requiring that certain adult Medicaid applicants and enrollees meet an 80-hour-per-month work requirement. Additional information from CMS can be found here.

The St. Clair County Health Department has released a draft regulation related to fluoride addition in community water supplies and is seeking public input ahead of a hearing scheduled for Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in Port Huron. The proposed regulation does not immediately prohibit community water fluoridation, but would create a county-level framework tied to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s fluoride standard. If that standard changes in the future, affected water systems would be required to reduce or discontinue fluoride addition or provide public notice of their intent to continue. MOHC is monitoring this issue closely because of its potential impact on community water fluoridation in St. Clair County and possible implications for other Michigan communities. Members are encouraged to review the draft regulation, stay engaged and consider submitting public comment.

Read Port Huron Times Herald article by Andy Jeffrey

Michigan Medicaid Dental Corner

Michigan’s Medicaid dental benefit has expanded in recent years, bringing higher reimbursement, broader coverage, and fewer administrative barriers. This section is here to help your team navigate Medicaid dental with confidence. 

Each month, we’ll answer one practical question to help Michigan dental teams better understand Medicaid dental and navigate the process with confidence. Have a question you’d like us to cover? Email us at: info@mohc.org

Q: What has changed since Michigan implemented the Adult Medicaid dental benefit redesign?

A: Michigan’s Adult Medicaid dental benefit redesign continues to show measurable changes in provider participation, utilization and covered services. According to the April 2026 Dental Redesign report, the number of managed care dental providers who delivered at least one Medicaid dental service increased from 1,691 in fiscal year 2022 to 2,381 in fiscal year 2025 — a 40.8% increase. Overall dental provider enrollment also increased by 32% after Oct. 1, 2022.

Utilization has increased as well. Total Medicaid dental visits grew from 490,988 in fiscal year 2022 to 705,878 in fiscal year 2025. The redesigned benefit also expanded coverage for several services important to comprehensive care, including crowns, root canals, periodontal services, sealants and fluoride varnish for eligible beneficiaries.

For dental professionals, these changes highlight the importance of staying current on Medicaid dental coverage, billing requirements, provider enrollment and health plan processes. Continued provider participation and awareness are essential to ensuring that Michigan residents covered by Medicaid can access timely, appropriate oral health care.

Provider Resources: Dental professionals can review the Michigan Medicaid Provider Manual for current coverage, billing and reimbursement policies; visit MDHHS Medicaid Dental Provider Enrollment resources for CHAMPS enrollment information; review the Dental Fee Schedule and Code and Rate Reference tools for reimbursement details; and contact Medicaid Health Plans directly for network participation and plan-specific processes.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 

Monday, June 15, is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a time to raise awareness about elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation. MOHC encourages members and partners to wear purple to show support for older adults and help bring attention to the importance of protecting dignity, safety and well-being at every age.

Dental professionals may be in a unique position to recognize possible signs of abuse or neglect, including unexplained injuries, changes in behavior, poor hygiene, missed appointments or concerns raised during patient interactions. For those interested in learning more, Dentalcare.com offers a free 1-hour CE course, Intimate Partner Violence and Elder Abuse: The Basics (available through Jun 15, 2026), which reviews elder maltreatment and the dental professional’s role in recognizing, reporting, treating and preventing these cases.

In Michigan, suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult can be reported to Adult Protective Services at 1-855-444-3911.

MOHC Webinar

Improving Antibiotic Use in Oral Health Practice

Date: Friday, June 26

Time: 9:30-10:30 a.m.

CEU: 1

Click to register