The American Dental Association (ADA) recently expressed deep concern about the Trump administration’s directive to suspend some federal financial aid.
The directive was issued by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and involves funding for several key health agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
ADA leaders wrote in a letter on January 28 that this funding freeze could seriously disrupt the normal operation of dental research, public health programs and preventive care programs.
Key projects affected include the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research under the NIH, HRSA’s oral health program, and the CDC’s fluoride use and dental service coverage expansion project.
In addition, the ADA emphasized that the suspension of funding not only poses risks to projects directly related to oral health, but may also affect related areas such as public health infrastructure and health workforce development.
The association called on Congress to clarify the funding destination as soon as possible and promote the timely approval of relevant funding to ensure the continued development of oral health.