Student Loans Explained

Changes to student loans are set to take effect in July 2026. Here’s how these changes affect current and future dental students: 

• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans will have a lifetime cap of $200,000 for professional degree programs. 
• The One Big Beautiful Bill eliminated Grad PLUS loans for future borrowers. The Class of 2030 and beyond will only have access to Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans for federal loans. 
• Students who borrow before July 1, 2026, may still borrow up to the cost of attendance using Grad PLUS loans until the end of their program. 
• Future borrowers will have access to the standard repayment plan with equal payment amounts each month or the Repayment Assistance Program (RAP). RAP replaces plans with income-calculated payments, including IBR, SAVE, ICR, and SAVE. 
• Current borrowers have until July 2028 to enroll in the standard repayment plan, the new RAP program, or the existing IBR plan. 

Share Your Comments with the Department of Education

Changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill—like borrowing caps, eliminating the Grad PLUS program, and changes to repayment programs—are now law. The Department of Education is establishing two committees for the rulemaking process to begin implementing these changes. ASDA encourages each of its members to submit a comment to share the dental student perspective on how these changes are implemented. ASDA has compiled a step-by-step guide on submitting comments.

SCOTUS Approves Mass Layoffs at the Department of Education

On July 14, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Trump administration, allowing layoffs of nearly 1,400 employees of the Department of Education. This move was originally blocked by a lower court, claiming that the mass layoffs would severely hinder the Department of Education’s operability. While the Supreme Court’s decision grants more administrative discretion to the Executive Branch, the closure of the Department of Education would still require congressional approval. 

Coalition Urges Congress to Pass the TEETH Act

On July 31, ASDA joined other members of organized dentistry to support H.R. 4556, the Protect Our Treatment for Enamel, Erosion, and Tooth Health (TEETH) Act. The bill would require a rapid-response review from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine before proposing any changes to federal fluoride recommendations. 

ASDA acknowledges the importance and safety of fluoridated water. The Protect Our TEETH Act ensures that an independent and science-backed review supports any changes to policies.  

FDA Holds Hearing on Fluoride Supplements for Kids

Last month, the FDA and the Reagan-Udall Foundation held a meeting to collect public comments on prescription ingestible fluoride products for children. Both supporters and opponents of fluoride presented their arguments on how the FDA should regulate these products. 

Trump Administration Continues Appeal of EPA Case, In Line with Biden Administration



In November 2024, a lower court ruled in favor of petitioners to the EPA challenging the safety of fluoride. The ruling required the EPA to provide stricter regulations for fluoride. 

Last month, the Trump administration announced it would continue efforts to appeal the decision in Food & Water Watch v. EPA, in alignment with the previous administration. The appeal notably focuses on judicial procedures rather than the EPA’s regulatory authority under the Toxic Substances Act. 

ASDA joined others in organized dentistry, urging the Executive Branch to appeal the decision in January.

New CT Law Affirms Importance of Fluoridated Water



On July 14, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed legislation adopting state minimum and maximum levels of fluoride for community water systems. The law was adopted to remove dependence on the Department of Health and Human Services, in response to Secretary Kennedy’s intention to order the CDC to stop recommending fluoride in drinking water.