Ohio Legislature Approves HB 96 Operating Budget

Now that the budget bill has been voted out of the state legislature, here is where things landed.

State Operating Budget as Reported by Conference Committee

Appropriation Item	2026	2027
Children’s Dental Services – Removed*	$0	$0
State Dental Board	$2,281,030	$2,272,258
Ohio Primary Care Workforce Initiative	$2,695,268	$2,372,258
Dentist Loan Repayment	$275,000	$275,000
Dental Hygienist Loan Repayment	$100,000	$100,000
Increasing children's access to vision and dental services (ODM transfer authority) — Dental Only	$2,000,000	$2,000,000
Health Program Support (school-based health centers) - Restored	$10,000,000	$10,000,000

*Unfortunately, funding for Children’s Dental Services was removed from the State Operating Budget by the Conference Committee. This funding had been included in the Executive Budget and was intended to create a Children's Dental Services Program, which would have focused on delivering mobile and portable dental care to children in underserved counties, including Clinton, Crawford, Gallia, Highland, Hocking, Monroe, Noble, Paulding, and Washington. These counties are designated as Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas and lack access to safety net dental clinics, leaving many children without essential oral health care.

View the Conference Committee comparison document here >