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Bill

B 26-0418

Future Smiles Pilot Program Establishment Amendment Act of 2025

26th Council Period (2025-2026) Introduced by Christina Henderson

DC establishes Future Smiles Pilot Program to test dental health interventions and improve access, with results informing potential citywide expansion.

Referred to Committee of the Whole with comments from the Committee on Health
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Bill Summary · B 26-0418

Legislative bill overview

Bill B 26-0418 establishes the "Future Smiles Pilot Program," a District of Columbia initiative focused on improving dental health outcomes, likely targeting underserved populations or children. The bill creates a structured pilot program with defined parameters, funding mechanisms, and performance metrics to test dental health interventions before potential expansion.

Why is this important

Dental health disparities significantly impact overall health outcomes and educational performance, particularly in low-income communities. A pilot program allows DC to develop evidence-based approaches to dental care access while controlling costs and measuring effectiveness before committing to larger-scale implementation.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding allocation: Questions about budget sources, whether dental funding diverts resources from other health priorities, and whether pilot funding is sufficient for meaningful impact
  • Program scope and eligibility: Debate over who qualifies for services, geographic coverage areas, and whether the pilot is too narrow or too broad to generate useful data
  • Sustainability concerns: Uncertainty about transitioning from pilot to permanent program, potential gap in services if pilot ends, and long-term cost implications for DC budget

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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