There are many people living in the United States who do not have dental insurance. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are 45.2 million uninsured Americans under the age of 65. This is a serious issue, and if you are one of these uninsured individuals, you should know that there are federal and state programs that can help you access affordable dentistry for you and your family.
If you have a child, states are required to provide dental benefits for children. Children’s dental benefits are covered by Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Among the comprehensive set of benefits provided by CHIP and Medicaid is the Early Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Testing (EPSDT) program. This program includes the screening, coverage of treatments for relief of pain and infections, restoration of teeth, and maintenance of dental health for children. Learn more about eligibility and benefits for your child through Medicaid.gov.
There are also programs that help provide dental benefits for adults enrolled in Medicaid. These benefits vary from state to state. Most states have opted to provide at least emergency dental services for adults. Individual states also offer special programs for qualifying adults to receive benefits that can help make dentistry affordable. There are no minimum requirements for adult dental coverage. To see if dental services for adults are covered by Medicaid in your area, view the Medicaid Benefits Data Collection.
Maintaining your dental health is an important factor in achieving good overall health. It is possible to get the assistance you need to receive affordable dentistry. Looking into the Medicaid program is a great start to having a happy and healthy smile! If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us at Shortline Dental to discuss how we can help.