August 25, 2026

Drilling Down: Essential Dental Reads from MLMIC

Navigating the sheer volume of information in the dental field can feel overwhelming. How do you cut through the noise to find the insights that truly impact your daily practice? At MLMIC, we understand this challenge. That's why we're bringing you a hand-picked selection of vital articles, offering clear, concise summaries and direct links to the most relevant industry news and analysis. Consider this your go-to resource for staying sharp and well-informed.

Let’s take a look at our curations for the month of August 2026.

30% of dentists plan to never use AI: 5 things to know about dentists’ AI integration

About 30% of dentists do not currently use AI and never plan to, according to a report from the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute. The ADA’s “The State of the U.S. Dental Economy” collected responses from more than 500 dentists in private practice on their AI usage.

Read more here and find a link to the ADA’s national report on the state of the U.S. Dental Economy, including insights into national AI usage in dentistry.

NYSDOH Clarifies New Dental CBCT Regulations Do Not Apply in New York City

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has clarified that its new Article 16 ionizing radiation regulations requiring accreditation for dental cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) installations do not apply in New York City (Bronx County, Kings County, New York County, Queens County, Richmond County).

Read more here, where you can also find additional pertinent information about the new regulations.

Dentists Continue to Overprescribe Antibiotics

The CDC and ADA release clinical guidelines to ensure dentists follow an evidence-based approach to prescribing antibiotics instead of falling back on the “just in case” approach. Dentists make up approximately 10% of all outpatient antibiotic prescriptions in the United States, a statistic that many say is too high.

Read more here and find links to CDC and ADA statements and working guidelines in development.

Historic plaque returns to ADA founding site in NY

Ceremony restores landmark honoring birthplace of organized dentistry in United States. The American Dental Association (ADA) joined the New York State Dental Association (NYSDA), the Eighth District Dental Society and local officials Aug. 4 in Niagara Falls, New York, to rededicate a commemorative plaque marking the site where the ADA was founded 167 years ago.

You can read the full coverage of the ceremony here.

The dental specialty seeing the largest drop in education enrollment

Dental public health education programs have seen a 17% decline in enrollment since 2021, according to new data from the American Dental Association. The ADA recently released new data showing enrollment trends for dental education programs in the U.S., including changes in total enrollment for various specialty programs over the last five years.

You can see the full list and enrollment changes here.

As we conclude this edition of MLMIC's dental news, we hope these curated articles have offered valuable insights and kept you informed about the dynamic world of dentistry. Our goal remains to empower your practice by bringing you the most relevant industry research and developments.

If you are not already a MLMIC insured, learn more about us here.

This document is for general purposes only and should not be construed as medical, dental or legal advice. This document is not comprehensive and does not cover all possible factual circumstances. Because the facts applicable to your situation may vary, or the laws applicable in your jurisdiction may differ, please contact your attorney or other professional advisors for any questions related to legal, medical, dental or professional obligations, the applicable state or federal laws or other professional questions.