Washington—The ADA Action for Dental Health movement gained the attention of the U.S. Congress with the introduction April 3 of legislation “to improve essential oral health care for lower-income individuals by breaking down barriers to care.”

Introduced by first-term Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., H.R. 4395 was referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The Action for Dental Health Act of 2014 would provide a $ 10 million annual grant program for constituent and component dental societies and others at the state and local levels offering free dental services for underserved populations. The bill would also provide an additional $ 10 million to implement ADH initiatives that reduce barriers to care.

In less than a year since the Association launched Action for Dental Health: Dentists Making a Difference on May 15, 2013, more than a dozen state and local projects have been initiated across the country. Visit Action for Dental Health at ADA.org for more information on these initiatives. The ADA News, starting with the March 17 issue, will provide continued coverage of these initiatives.

The Association invites you to share your ADH story by contacting Rhys Saunders in the ADA Public Affairs Department at [email protected].