How Innovative Medicaid Programs Improve Children's Access to Dental Care

Main Category: Dentistry
Article Date: 31 Jan 2005 - 9:00 PDT


USA - With only about one out of four Medicaid-enrolled children receiving dental care, a newly released report from the American Dental Association (ADA) shows how some states have initiated innovative reforms that dramatically improve access to dental care.

The report, State Innovations to Improve Dental Access for Low-Income Children: A Compendium Update, is a compilation of data drawn from each state's Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program. It addresses such barriers as poor financing, administrative red tape, lack of patient-case management and low oral health literacy.

ADA President Richard Haught, D.D.S., says the report is cause for both hope and concern.

"States continue to explore and implement commonsense, market-based reforms to their dental Medicaid programs, with some very promising results," he adds. "But much more needs to be done, and the ADA will continue to promote and advocate solutions that ease the burden of untreated dental disease on the nation's disadvantaged children."

For a copy of State Innovations to Improve Dental Access for Low-Income Children: A Compendium Update, visit ada.org/goto/medicaid.

The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 149,000 members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since the 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer and professional products. For more information about the ADA, visit the Association's Web site at http://www.ada.org.

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