In brief: Public understanding of oral health declines, surprising suzetrigine study findings, SmileCon ending in 2026

Declining understanding of the oral-systemic link

The 2025 State of America's Oral Health and Wellness Report revealed a disparity between public knowledge and the oral-systemic link. Their report, which collected responses from 2,000 US adults and parents of children aged 12 and below, noted that public knowledge of oral health and its connection to systemic conditions has declined over the past year-despite many believing it has remained the same.¹

Although many acknowledged oral health's influence on overall health, fewer respondents understood specific connections between oral health and heart disease, respiratory illness, and high blood pressure.¹

Furthermore, many adults were not properly educated on the link between oral health and pregnancy: only 33% understood that pregnancy increases an individual's risk of developing gum disease, and 26% were aware of the correlation between poor oral health during pregnancy and adverse delivery outcomes such as preterm birth or low birth weight. Considering over half of women (54%) who are or have been pregnant said that they consider dental visits to be important, this knowledge gap underscores the need for stronger patient education.¹

Click here to read more highlights from America's Oral Health and Wellness Report.

New suzetrigine feedback data

Suzetrigine, a non-addictive painkiller, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in late January of this year. What made this news buzzworthy is that this drug (also known as Journavx) became the first FDA-approved analgesic for severe pain, providing relief by targeting the body's sodium channels. Without the risk of addiction, overdose, or sedation, suzetrigine seemed like a promising new product in the eyes of both patients and health-care providers.²

So what do people think now? A recent study by Tebra surveyed over 1,000 Americans (including healthcare professionals) to gauge their perceptions of suzetrigine. Here is what they found:

Provider feedback

• 77% of healthcare professionals believe suzetrigine could reduce opioid dependency

• 71% believe it could replace opioids for chronic pain management

• 56% would prescribe suzetrigine as a first-line treatment for chronic pain

• 72% are concerned about the lack of long-term safety data, with 68% saying this would prevent them from prescribing suzetrigine

Patient/public feedback

• 67% of Americans would choose suzetrigine over an opioid

• 58% are concerned with suzetrigine's potential side effects, with 56% concerned about possible lack of insurance coverage

• 48% of Americans would be hesitant to try it if their provider hasn't recommended it³

To learn about additional feedback data from Tebra's study, click here.

SmileCon set to end next year

The American Dental Association (ADA) recently announced that SmileCon's final conference will be held later this year in October, discontinuing the event in 2026. This decision comes after careful consideration from the ADA, who cited higher costs and a steady decline in attendance since the COVID-19 pandemic as contributing factors.⁴

In a press release, ADA president Dr. Brett Kessler noted his appreciation for support of the convention, saying: "the ADA extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who made SmileCon possible, including the host cities that welcomed us with open arms and warm hospitality." He also said: "SmileCon has been much more than a professional conference; it's been a showcase of the best dentistry has to offer. It's where new ideas have been shared and where the dental community has come together to shape the future of oral and overall health."⁴

The final SmileCon will be held in Washington DC from October 23-25. SmileCon 2026, which was originally set to take place in Indianapolis, is collaborating with Indiana Dental Association and Visit Indy to explore future events in the city.

References

1. Conexiant News Staff. Report: public understanding of oral-systemic link declines, dental anxiety persists. Inside Dentistry. May 20, 2025. https://insidedentistry.net/news/?mktId=16011100&md5=10f0d90e207fe5de3f5c5b41d856117a&utm_medium=email&utm_source=conDental-05-23-25&newsID=101729&mkt_tok=ODI0LVhPRy0wNTQAAAGanH0c4q800ZspopZvQTaL9idy39oMl-E_Q5guMbmdIB1uIYkASKj9SonJ4xkiWMFxAcwC7obrm5lPVwtpXRoOCeZ3fxAVUR2u6kUpnfN9fRK6ACCn

2. Butkovic S. FDA approves suzetrigine, first non-opioid painkiller approved in decades. DentistryIQ. February 6, 2025. https://www.dentistryiq.com/dentistry/research-and-news/news/55266375/fda-approves-suzetrigine-first-non-opioid-painkiller-approved-in-decades

3. Lee J. Perceptions of Suzetrigine: The first "nonaddictive" painkiller. Tebra. Reviewed February 18, 2025. https://www.tebra.com/theintake/healthcare-reports/perceptions-of-suzetrigine

4. American Dental Association to end SmileCon event in 2026. American Dental Association. May 22, 2025.