The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) continues to advocate for fair and transparent insurance practices that support patient access to care and the sustainability of specialty practices. As part of this effort, AAE recently submitted comments in support of Massachusetts Senate Bill 704, legislation addressing the use of virtual credit cards by dental insurance providers. 

Virtual credit card payments often impose processing fees that reduce reimbursement for care already delivered, creating unnecessary administrative costs for dental practices. In its comments to Massachusetts lawmakers, AAE emphasized that these practices can strain provider resources and discourage participation in insurance networks—ultimately limiting patient access to care. 

AAE expressed strong support for provisions in S.704 that would prevent insurers from mandating credit cards as the sole method of reimbursement and require affirmative provider consent before credit card or virtual credit card payments are initiated. The legislation also promotes greater transparency by ensuring providers receive clear remittance information and advance disclosure of any associated fees. 

Endodontists frequently provide urgent, specialized treatment for patients experiencing dental infections and pain. AAE noted that excessive administrative burdens and hidden payment fees can interfere with the timely delivery of this care. By allowing providers to choose their preferred payment method, S.704 helps protect practice sustainability while supporting efficient, patient-centered care. 

AAE’s engagement on S.704 reflects its broader commitment to advocating for policies that reduce unnecessary administrative barriers, promote fairness in reimbursement, and strengthen the dental community. By supporting thoughtful reforms in Massachusetts, AAE continues to stand up for endodontists and the patients who rely on their specialized care. 

The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) continues its strong advocacy for policies that support patient access to timely, high-quality care and protect the sustainability of specialty practices. As part of this effort, AAE recently submitted formal comments supporting Florida Senate Bill 1130, legislation aimed at improving insurance claims payment practices for health care providers. 

SB 1130 addresses insurer practices that can undermine patient care, including inappropriate downcoding and delayed or unclear reimbursement decisions. In its comments to Florida lawmakers, AAE emphasized that these practices create unnecessary administrative burdens for providers and can interfere with patients’ ability to receive prompt, medically necessary treatment. 

Endodontists routinely deliver urgent care for patients experiencing severe dental pain and infection—conditions that often require immediate intervention to prevent serious complications. AAE highlighted that SB 1130 would help preserve access to this care by establishing clearer restrictions on downcoding, increasing transparency when payment reductions occur, and strengthening prompt payment standards. 

The legislation also promotes greater accountability in prior authorization and utilization review processes, including improved electronic systems and clearer standards for insurer decision-making. These reforms are designed to reduce treatment delays, enhance continuity of care, and ensure reimbursement aligns with the services provided. 

AAE’s support for SB 1130 reflects its broader commitment to advocating for fair, transparent insurance practices that allow endodontists to focus on patient care rather than administrative obstacles. By engaging early with policymakers, AAE continues to champion legislation that strengthens specialty practices and protects access to essential dental care. 

Following its strong opposition to earlier proposals that threatened to weaken specialty advertising standards in Wisconsin, the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) welcomed recent action by the Wisconsin Dentistry Examining Board to clarify and strengthen its dental specialty advertising rules. The Board’s proposed revisions to Chapter DE 6 represent a meaningful step toward protecting patients from misleading claims while reinforcing the value of accredited specialty education. 

In formal comments submitted to the Board, the AAE expressed support for provisions that clearly define what constitutes false, misleading, or deceptive advertising. By providing greater specificity and transparency, the proposed rules help ensure consistency in enforcement and offer clearer guidance to dentists seeking to comply with advertising requirements. Most importantly, these safeguards enhance consumer protection and support informed decision-making by patients. 

The AAE also commended the Board for reinforcing the principle that the title “specialist” must be reserved for dentists who have completed a postdoctoral educational training program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Requiring dentists who are not specialists to clearly identify themselves as general dentists is a critical protection against patient confusion and aligns with public expectations regarding specialty credentials. 

At the same time, the Association raised concerns about the continued use of alternative titles—such as “implantologist”—that may function as a proxy for specialty designation. While the proposed rules require disclaimers identifying these providers as general dentists, the AAE cautioned that such distinctions may not be readily understood by patients. From a consumer perspective, alternate terminology can still imply a level of specialty expertise that does not reflect CODA-accredited training. The AAE encouraged the Board to further strengthen the rule by limiting advertising titles to prevent unintended confusion. 

Finally, the AAE strongly supported provisions preventing a dentist from implying that all practitioners within a group practice are specialists unless each individual has earned that designation. This clarification is essential to preserving the integrity of specialty recognition and ensuring that patients receive accurate information when choosing their provider.  

Together, these proposed revisions reflect a shared commitment to truth in advertising, patient protection, and professional accountability. The AAE’s engagement in Wisconsin underscores its continued advocacy for clear, enforceable standards that uphold the value of accredited specialty education and protect the public trust. By supporting thoughtful regulatory improvements, the Association continues to safeguard your ability to practice as a recognized specialist. 

As the 2026 legislative cycle kicks off, the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) is already actively engaging with policymakers to strengthen the dental community and expand access to high-quality oral health care. AAE recently submitted a series of comment letters supporting state legislation to ratify the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Interstate Compact, underscoring the Association’s continued commitment to effective, collaborative advocacy. 

To date, AAE has expressed support for compact legislation introduced in Arizona, Missouri, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New Mexico and Oklahoma. These early advocacy efforts highlight AAE’s proactive approach to shaping policy that supports a strong, mobile dental workforce and benefits patients across the country. 

In its communications with lawmakers, AAE emphasized that interstate licensure compacts help address workforce shortages—particularly in rural and underserved areas—while maintaining rigorous licensure and public safety standards. By reducing unnecessary administrative barriers, the compact allows qualified dentists and dental hygienists to practice where they are needed most, strengthening collaboration and continuity of care throughout the dental community. 

AAE also noted that the compact promotes accountability and public trust through background checks, coordinated disciplinary data sharing, and consistent licensure requirements across participating states. These safeguards ensure that workforce flexibility enhances, rather than compromises, patient protection. 

As the specialty organization representing more than 8,000 endodontists worldwide, AAE continues to advocate for policies that recognize the essential role of dental specialists in preserving natural teeth, managing dental pain, and supporting comprehensive oral health care. Supporting interstate compact legislation aligns with AAE’s broader mission to strengthen the dental workforce and the dental community as a whole. 

AAE will continue to closely monitor additional interstate compact bills introduced during the 2026 legislative cycle and will support legislation that advances patient access, protects public safety, and strengthens the dental profession. Through sustained engagement with lawmakers and coalition partners, AAE remains committed to advancing policies that benefit endodontists, the broader dental community, and the patients they serve. 

The Minnesota Board of Dentistry is considering proposed revisions to state regulations that would expand the scope of practice for dental therapists. These changes represent a significant shift in Minnesota’s long-standing regulatory framework governing the delivery of dental care. If adopted, the proposal would blur established professional roles, weaken accountability, and raise serious concerns about patient safety and standards of care. 

In response, the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) submitted formal opposition to the Board, emphasizing that scope-of-practice decisions must align with a provider’s education, training, and level of clinical responsibility. Endodontists complete rigorous, Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)–accredited postdoctoral education to ensure competence in diagnosing and managing complex disease. Expanding dental therapists’ authority beyond their intended supportive role risks delegating critical clinical responsibilities to practitioners who are not trained to assume them independently. 

The AAE also underscored that this issue extends beyond access to care. While improving access is an important policy objective, it cannot come at the expense of safety, quality, or professional standards. Expanding scope of practice by redefining core clinical responsibilities sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the dentist-led model of care that has long protected patients. Dental therapists play an important role on the oral health care team, but that role is designed to complement, not replace, dentist oversight and accountability. 

Additionally, expanding scope of practice risks creating confusion for patients about provider qualifications and responsibility for care. When regulatory lines are blurred, patients may reasonably assume that all providers are equally trained to deliver the same level of care. This confusion erodes public trust in the dental care delivery system and conflicts with the Board’s fundamental responsibility to protect public health. 

The AAE urged the Minnesota Board of Dentistry to reject the proposed scope-of-practice expansion and to maintain existing regulatory definitions that appropriately reflect education, training, and professional responsibility. The Association also called for additional stakeholder engagement, including meaningful dialogue with dental specialty organizations, before advancing any further changes. 

Through consistent, evidence-based advocacy, the AAE continues to stand firm against regulatory efforts that threaten patient safety and professional standards. Our engagement in Minnesota reflects the Association’s ongoing commitment to protecting the integrity of dental specialties—and to supporting endodontists as they provide high-quality, specialist-level care to patients every day.