The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) issued a statement opposing the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to exclude dental hygiene from its proposed definition of professional degree programs under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).
According to the organization, the Department of Education’s RISE Committee reached consensus on Nov. 6, 2025, on new federal student loan caps. Beginning in July 2026, graduate students will be limited to $20,500 annually while professional students can access $50,000 annually; the Department’s definition includes dentistry, pharmacy, and law but excludes dental hygiene. The policy also eliminates Grad PLUS loans, which previously allowed students to cover educational costs beyond standard federal loan limits.
“This decision creates significant financial barriers for students pursuing master’s degree programs in dental hygiene at a time when our nation faces critical healthcare workforce shortages,” said ADHA President Lancette VanGuilder, BS, RDH, PHEDH, CEAS, FADHA. “Limiting access to federal student loans will force students to seek private loans with higher interest rates, making advanced education less accessible when we need it most.”
ADHA is urging the Department of Education to revise its proposed definition and engage with healthcare stakeholders. The organization stated that it will continue to advocate for dental hygiene students and encourages participation in the public comment period when it opens.
The full statement is available at adha.org/positions. Social posts are available on ADHA channels on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Additional news is available at adha.org/newsroom, and ADHA activities, events and actions are available at adha.org/WorkingForYou.
