Compilation of the first batch of the national unified medical insurance medical service item catalog launched, with dental implantation included; multiple departments focus on the governance challen…

First Batch of Nationally Unified Medical Insurance Medical Service Project Directory Initiated, Dental Implantation Category Included

On September 16, 2026, the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) issued the "Work Plan for Formulating the First Batch of National Basic Medical Insurance Medical Service Project Directory," incorporating 13 categories of projects into the national medical insurance directory for the first time, with dental implantation included for the first time. The new directory will first be piloted in cross-provincial remote medical treatment settlement, and subsequently gradually align with the medical insurance payment scope of each province. The NHSA will not require nationwide unified implementation for the time being.

Yucera Completes Tens of Millions of Yuan in Series B Financing, with Key Investment in Building the Dental Digital Manufacturing System

On September 11, 2026, Shenzhen Yucera Dental Materials Co., Ltd. announced the completion of tens of millions of yuan in Series B financing. This round of financing was jointly invested by local state-owned capital platforms Suikai Investment, Zhuhai Gaoke Jintou, and industrial investor Yian Medical, with Hanyu Capital serving as the financial advisor for this round. Yucera stated that the funds from this financing will be primarily directed toward building the Dental Digital Manufacturing System and further advancing the ecological integration of the upstream and downstream industry chain.

CCTV Oral Health Science Documentary "Health from Teeth" Premieres on September 19

On September 19, 2026, "Health from Teeth" premiered on CCTV-9, focusing on common oral problems such as cavities and periodontal disease, discussing the actual effectiveness of daily care methods such as toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash, and dental cleaning, and covering family oral health plans and timing for seeking medical care. The documentary is part of the China Media Group's health science popularization IP matrix project and was previously promoted on July 14, 2026, at the "Grand Drama and Grand Film Co-creation Partners Conference" in Beijing by Wang Songling, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Dong Jiahong, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

"Guiding Principles for Inspection of Medical Device GMP" Issued, Custom-made Dentures Listed as High-Risk Category

On September 15, 2026, the National Medical Products Administration issued the "Guiding Principles for Inspection of Medical Device GMP," effective from November 1, 2026, specifying 200 inspection items, among which more than 3 critical items of non-compliance will result in suspension of production for rectification. Custom-made dentures were classified as high-risk products, and the old version of the "On-site Inspection Guiding Principles" was simultaneously abolished.

Ten Departments Jointly Issue the "15th Five-Year Plan for Pharmaceutical Industry Development," Setting 10 Expected Indicators

On September 18, 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and nine other departments jointly released the "15th Five-Year Plan for Pharmaceutical Industry Development," specifying that by 2030, first-in-class innovative drugs (FIC) should account for no less than 25% globally, the revenue target for pharmaceutical industry enterprises should be no less than 3.5 trillion yuan, no fewer than 200 innovative medical devices should be cumulatively launched, and key technologies such as rapid precision 3D Printing should be prioritized for breakthrough. The document also proposed deepening AI empowerment, promoting industrial cluster development, and required improving cross-border cooperation mechanisms.

NHSA: Piloting the Pre-approval System for Medical Service Price Items of High-Level New Technologies and New Products

On September 15, 2026, the NHSA published on its official website the "Notice on Piloting the Pre-approval System for Medical Service Price Items of High-Level New Technologies and New Products," intervening in advance before new technologies and new products are officially approved for clinical application, providing price policy guidance for medical institutions, and proposing to "basically achieve seamless connection between approval for application and price item approval."

Hong Kong, China's First Five-Year Plan: Proposing to Establish Independent Drug and Device Review Capability, Building an International Medical Innovation Hub

On September 16, 2026, the Hong Kong, China government released its first five-year plan, setting 105 indicators, planning to initiate the construction of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology School of Medicine and a comprehensive medical teaching and research hospital within the next five years, and to establish independent drug and device review and approval capability, aiming to build an international medical innovation hub. The plan also emphasized deepening drug and device regulatory reform and improving clinical trial platforms. Relevant departments have uploaded the full text and reference materials to a dedicated website for public review.

Multiple Departments Focus on the Governance Challenges of Malicious Complaints and "Online Medical Disturbances"

On August 18, 2026, the National Health Commission, together with 13 ministries and commissions, issued the "Opinions," listing "online medical disturbances" as a target for annual rectification of misconduct, publishing 9 categories of illegal acts, and requiring hospitals nationwide to implement four systems by the end of 2026: reporting of major law-related matters, case analysis, risk assessment, and annual legal compliance reporting. Subsequently, the Luzhou Health Commission in Sichuan and other departments refined these 9 categories of acts on August 12, clarifying that those violating the Public Security Administration Punishments Law will be subject to administrative detention, and serious circumstances constituting the crime of picking quarrels and provoking trouble.

New Research from West China Hospital of Stomatology: IGFBP5 Can Alleviate Dental Follicle Stem Cells Senescence and Promote Periodontal Bone Regeneration

On September 15, 2026, the research team of Sichuan University West China Hospital of Stomatology published the latest research in the "International Journal of Oral Science" (Nature Portfolio), finding that IGFBP5 is an important regulatory factor in the senescence process of human Dental Follicle Stem Cells (DFSCs). Through in vitro and rat experiments, the team showed that overexpression of IGFBP5 can alleviate DFSCs senescence and restore part of their osteogenic differentiation potential; combined with a novel composite hydrogel scaffold, it can promote periodontal bone regeneration in a rat Periodontitis Model. The research is still at the in vitro and animal experiment stage, and clinical safety and applicability require further verification.

2026 ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects: Sichuan University Dentistry Ranks Fourth Globally, First in China

On September 15, 2026, ShanghaiRanking released the 2026 GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, with Sichuan University Dentistry ranking fourth globally and first in China with a score of 285.8. The ranking covers 57 subjects, with an assessment period from 2021 to 2025. Previously, Sichuan University entered the global top ten for the first time in the QS dental ranking released in March 2026, ranking 10th. The ShanghaiRanking indicators include five modules: world-class faculty, world-class achievements, high-level research outputs, research impact, and international cooperation.

2026 Medical Practitioner Qualification Examination Medical Comprehensive Examination First Session Score Inquiry Officially Opens on September 19

On September 16, 2026, the National Medical Examination Center announced that the first session scores of the 2026 Medical Practitioner Qualification Examination Medical Comprehensive Examination will be available for inquiry simultaneously through the official account, mini-program, and telephone on September 19; starting from September 20, score report printing and analysis report subscription services will be provided. The National Medical Examination Center emphasized that any claims of internal score additions or score changes are fraud and should be promptly reported to public security authorities.

AI Dental Management Platform Archy Secures $50 Million Series C Financing

On September 11, 2026, AI dental management platform Archy completed a $50 million Series C financing in the United States (cumulative financing of $97 million). The platform has served approximately 1,000 dental clinics across 45 states in the U.S., with annual payment processing exceeding $300 million. This round of financing was led by JMI Equity, aiming to accelerate the development of five major AI agents covering core processes such as scheduling, records, imaging, and payments.

Economic Cost of General Dental Services in Northern Ireland Approximately RMB 1,300 per Hour, Public Service Registered Patients Decreased by Over 389,000

On September 16, 2026, the Northern Ireland Department of Health released the "General Dental Services Fee Review Report," stating that the economic cost per clinical hour is approximately £145 (approximately RMB 1,300), and noting that from the 2022/23 to 2025/26 fiscal years, public dental registered patients decreased by approximately 389,132, with the registration rate dropping to approximately 49%. Health Minister Robbie Butler stated that the fee review provides evidence for subsequent payment system reform, and relevant reform proposals will be launched and enter public consultation.

Northern Ireland Public Medical Service Dental Registration Rate Falls Below 50%, 95,000 Patients Lost in One Year

Recently, the Northern Ireland Department of Health and BSO released a report showing that the public dental adult registration rate dropped to 44%, the lowest since 2009, with a decrease of 95,000 patients for the year, approximately 9%; the per capita cost rose to £118.70, up 11% year-on-year. Regional differences are significant, with the highest region having a registration rate of 52% and the lowest only 30%. The report also noted that 94% of residents live within 5 miles of a dental clinic, but differences in service accessibility still exist.

Claiming to Be "Shanghai Experts" and the "Largest Hospital," a Dental Institution in Guangde Fined 20,000 Yuan for Illegal Advertising

On July 30, 2026, the Guangde Market Supervision Bureau determined that a dental institution published false advertising such as "hospital" and "Shanghai experts" during a period when it had not obtained a practice license, and imposed a fine of 20,000 yuan. The institution has now obtained a medical practice license and completed rectification.