In a dental setting, impacted patients may include children with cleft lip and/or cleft palate, ectodermal dysplasias, and other conditions that affect craniofacial development. These diagnoses can shape how children eat, speak, and smile. When restorative or reconstructive care is denied, the consequences can be severe—harming both physical health and emotional wellbeing. Ongoing coverage for future treatments as children grow is essential to support healthy development, wellbeing, and long-term outcomes. 

Over the past few years, ELSA has been a key legislative priority during the Pediatric Oral Health Advocacy Conferences. In March 2026, we had over 400 advocates on Capitol Hill discussing this with their Members of Congress. We work with AAPD Public Policy Advocates on ways to educate leaders in their states, such as writing op-eds in local newspapers and organizing meetings to discuss this legislation. Our AAPD Congressional Liaisons are regularly on Capitol Hill, reminding key legislators and their staffers of the importance of this legislation and our hope that they will move it forward. 

We continue to urge Members of Congress to cosponsor and support these bills that have been introduced in the 119th Congress in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives: S. 1677 and H.R. 3277. As of July 31, 2026, there are 50 cosponsors in the Senate and 171 in the House. Momentum has been building and we have an opportunity to get ELSA across the finish line in 2026!