Several DSOs and dental groups have kicked off 2024 by opening milestone practices.

Adults living in rural areas are less likely to visit a dentist and have access to an oral healthcare provider compared to their urban and suburban counterparts, leading to worse dental health, according to a Jan. 17 report by CareQuest Institute for Oral Health.

East Carolina University's School of Dental Medicine in Greenville, N.C., recently celebrated serving 100,000 patients throughout the state.

The Iowa Dental Board suspended the license of Calvin Weber, DDS, over charges of "improper sexual contact with or making lewd, lascivious or improper remarks or advances to a patient."

A Pennsylvania dentist was recently charged with indecent assault and harassment against a female patient. 

Legislation has been introduced in the Senate to reauthorize the CDC's Oral Health program for five years.

The Wisconsin Senate and State Assembly both passed a package of bills to improve and expand access to oral healthcare in the state.

A car crashed into the offices of a dentist and OB\GYN in Aberdeen, Md., NBC affiliate WBALTV reported Jan. 17.  

A former Illinois dentist pleaded guilty to wire fraud after practicing unlicensed dentistry, the Daily Herald reported Jan. 16.  

The American Heart Association and Delta Dental partnered to launch Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts, an initiative to improve access to integrated healthcare.

Here are five federal updates Becker's has reported on since Oct. 30:

Maryland legislators have introduced several bills and have more planned to improve dental care in the state, The Southern Maryland Chronicle reported Jan. 15.

The Rhode Island State Department of Health issued a cease and desist order to Waleska Melgar to stop practicing dentistry in the state without a license.

The Washington Dental Quality Assurance Commission indefinitely suspended the license of Jasmine Caminos, a dental assistant in the state.

James Rolfe, DDS, recently extended the operating hours of his dental urgent care center in Santa Barbara, Calif., the Santa Barbara Independent reported Jan. 12.

Here are four recent dental company closures Becker's has reported on since Dec. 8, including dental practices, labs and more. 

Pacific Northwest Implant Studio and General Dentistry in Eugene, Ore., led by Matthew Byrne, DDS, has shut down unexpectedly, leaving patients without care, according to a Jan. 11 report by ABC affiliate KEZI.

Here are 11 dental school updates that Becker's has reported on since Nov. 28: 

Newly formed Haven Dental, founded by Charles Wei, DDS, opened its first practice location.

First Choice Dental, which operates 11 dental clinics throughout Wisconsin, suffered a cybersecurity incident.