AAPD Foundation Earmarks $4.75million for 2026 Grants

The AAPD Foundation Board of Trustees met to discuss how to help counteract the upcoming changes to federal Medicaid funding.  In response the board approved allocating $4.75 million in new grants for fiscal year 2026 ($4 million earmarked for nonprofit clinics and dental schools facing revenue losses due to Medicaid changes and other federal cuts). “Unfortunately, these anticipated losses are not a matter of if, but when,” said AAPD Foundation President Dr. Mario Ramos. “And, with federal funding comprising on average two-thirds of nonprofit clinics’ annual revenue, the consequences of these changes are brutal: millions of powerless children will suffer.” 

Your financial support for the Foundation is needed now more than ever.  Please Join the Fight to Protect All Little Smiles and Become a Healthy Smile Hero by donating to the Foundation today by using the QR code or going to aapdfoundation.org/donate

AAPD Ad Interim Board Meeting

The board met in September in Edinburgh, Scotland in conjunction with the Smiles Across the Globe meeting.  Some of the actions of the board are summarized below:

1.  Approved that the AAPD adopt AAP’s 2025 immunization schedule for inclusion in the 2026 AAPD Reference Manual, in place of the 2025 CDC-ACIP recommendations.
2. Reaffirmed the AAP/AAPD joint guidelines on sedation and anesthesia with updated references, and to allow flexibilities as needed from P&P to proceed with the joint publication with AAP.
3. Approved the Early Career Pediatric Dentistry Committee to host an in person meeting in September 2026 in conjunction with the biennial AAPD Chapter Leadership Summit.
4. Approved new/revised AAPD State Chapter Logos.
5. Approved submitting a 15% increase in AAPD member dues across all member categories to the General Assembly for final approval.
6. Motion was Not Approved to support the AAOMS request for the Oral Health Milestones 1, 7, and 15 Campaign for up to $60,000 per year for three years. 
7. Approved AAPD Headquarters providing members with information on ADA Resolution 407 via e-media. 

Minutes of the meeting can be found at: https://www.aapd.org/globalassets/2025-09-18-2025-bots-minutes-final.pdf (under member resources, governance tab at AAPD.org)

AAPD Leadership Update

As most of you are likely aware our beloved CEO for the past 26 years, Dr. John Rutkauskas is taking well deserved retirement in June of 2026.  A search committee completed a very thorough process to determine the best candidates to be AAPDs next CEO.  The AAPD Board met in August for the final interviews and chose a new CEO.  Negotiations with that individual are ongoing and an announcement is expected in January.

AAPD Annual Session Las Vegas

Registration will open in December for AAPD’s first ever session in Las Vegas May 21-24, 2026 at the Ceasars Forum Convention Center.  I look forward to seeing you there!