After four years of board service, American Dental Therapy Association's Claire Surges (Roesler), a registered dental hygienist and advanced dental therapist, has fulfilled her term commitment to the ADTA Board of Directors. She now plans to focus on her clinical practice, expanding dental therapy training programs to more states, and enjoying life as a newlywed. An integral part of the association's executive team, she's demonstrated leadership and commitment to dental therapy during her tenure. From trailblazing as the state of Maine's first licensed dental therapist to serving patients in rural parts of the Midwest, making personal connections with patients and other providers is one of the things she enjoys most about the profession.

In her role as a board director, Surges has served as ADTA's representative for the state of Maine, sat on the conference planning committee, and most recently served as ADTA’s Annual Conference co-chair.

• Utah’s proposed fluoride ban: A new bill in Utah seeks to ban fluoride from public water systems, making it the first state to potentially enact such a law, with no local option for communities to decide.
• Impact of federal health figures: The bill's momentum coincides with skepticism from federal health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about water fluoridation, influencing the growing debate across the U.S.
• Cost and health concerns: Supporters of the bill argue that fluoride’s costs outweigh its benefits, while opponents highlight its effectiveness in preventing tooth decay, especially for low-income communities with limited access to dental care.

In an article published Feb. 28, 2025, the Associated Press reports that Utah is moving toward becoming the first state in the U.S. to implement a full ban on fluoride in public water systems. Proposed Utah House Bill 81, which does not allow local communities to make individual decisions about adding fluoride, has passed the legislature and is awaiting approval from Governor Spencer Cox. This decision aligns with a broader national debate over fluoride, with prominent figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expressing doubts about its safety and effectiveness. While fluoride is widely considered a major public health achievement, some argue it should be an individual choice, and the bill’s sponsors emphasize the cost savings of discontinuing fluoridation.

• The ADA recently passed three resolutions to address dental workforce shortage, including licensure pathways for internationally trained dentists and dental students.
• Regarding the new policies, the ADHA has raised concerns about patient safety and professional integrity, while the ADA has reaffirmed its commitment to high standards.
• The new policies aim to increase flexibility in dental education programs and ease recruitment challenges for dental professionals.

The American Dental Association's recent resolutions aim to address the dental workforce shortage, focusing on flexibility while maintaining high standards of patient care and professional integrity. Key proposals include allowing internationally trained dentists to obtain U.S. licensure, enabling dental students and residents to practice hygiene with specific competencies, and expanding allied dental education programs. The American Dental Hygienists' Association has objected to the changes, raising concerns about potential impacts on patient safety and educational standards. Responding to the ADHA, the ADA has said the policies uphold rigorous licensure requirements and prioritize qualified professionals, with the goal to alleviate staffing shortages without compromising care quality, while supporting dental hygienists' essential role in the workforce.