In the News

"The removal of access to fluoride, coupled with Congress’s cuts to Medicaid, will strip away vital protections for those most at risk." In this article from STAT, CareQuest Institute Senior Director of Public Policy Melissa Burroughs is calling on the administration to take three critical steps to reverse the oral health crisis in the US.

Traditional Medicare still does not cover dental care — despite the fact that most people support expanding coverage and oral health problems increase as we age. In this Next Avenue article, learn what we can do to address this shortcoming.

The US Food and Drug Administration appears poised to continue with a plan to ban prescription fluoride supplements at a time when many experts say that access to the products has become especially important. 

Dental industry leaders are preparing for what may be some harsh consequences of the recently enacted federal budget bill. Melissa Burroughs, the Senior Director of Public Policy for the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, called the bill’s passage a “dangerous setback,” adding that several provisions of the bill will make it more difficult for individuals to afford dental care and manage diseases linked to oral health. 

As more communities remove fluoride from drinking water, public health experts, including CareQuest Institute Senior Director of Public Policy Melissa Burroughs, warn of a surge in cavities and a backslide after decades of dental health progress. POLITICO breaks down the growing controversy and what it could mean for millions of people in the US. Read the full article here.

What’s the future of oral health policy in the US? CareQuest Institute Senior Director of Public Policy Melissa Burroughs recently spoke with Becker’s Dental + DSO Review to discuss how the Trump administration can prioritize oral health improvement.Read the full article here.

As RFK Jr. questions federal fluoride policy, public health experts like Melissa Burroughs, Senior Director of Public Policy at CareQuest Institute, are weighing in on what it could mean for children’s dental health. Read more in Rolling Stone.

There are many ways to add value and have an amazing career as a CFO. In this episode, Denise W. Marks, CFO of the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, shares her insights on navigating a successful career path in finance. Denise discusses the importance of embracing diverse opportunities, not being afraid to ask for help, and finding your own unique way to add value as a CFO. Discover how to embrace the journey, have fun, and make the most of your career in finance.

According to CareQuest Institute for Oral Health’s 2024 State of Oral Health Equity in America (SOHEA) survey, an alarming 27% of US adults, roughly 72 million people, do not have dental insurance. This figure stands in stark contrast to the 9.5% of adults without health insurance, highlighting a persistent and growing coverage gap that jeopardizes both oral and overall health.

In the US, approximately 27% of adults, or about 72 million people, do not h