5 Ways to Improve the Oral Health of Medicaid-Enrolled Children
Oral health care starting early for children is essential to help maintain a bright future of dental care. Luckily, comprehensive dental coverage is mandated by Medicaid for children enrolled until age 21. Low-income families, however, run into the same problem: having coverage doesn’t always mean that you are guaranteed care. Medicaid-enrolled children are far less likely to receive preventative early care that is needed. The good news is that there are solutions for dental and Medicaid professionals and others to advance to connect Medicaid-enrolled children to the care that they need.
In this article, we will take a closer look at five great ways that the oral health care of Medicaid-enrolled children can be improved.
The Oral Health of Children is Important, Particularly Those Enrolled in Medicaid
States are required to cover services and health assessments for children enrolled in Medicaid throughout childhood. However, some barriers push such services out of reach. Children’s first dental appointment should happen by their first birthday. Dental disease has long-term consequences for children if left untreated. Early exams are important for children as they can prevent childhood dental disease before it worsens, and they can provide the following:
- Children receive the care they need for healthy oral care if a provider diagnoses tooth decay early.
- Preventative support can help while children grow up with early diagnosis.
- There is less risk for a child to require oral surgery through early diagnosis.
Barriers Medicaid-Enrolled Children Face
Children who are enrolled in Medicaid face more oral health issues and are seen by a dental provider less often than peers protected by private coverage. Many factors make it challenging for children to have access to dental care, including the following:
- There is a shortage of dental providers nationwide, and many don’t accept those covered by Medicaid.
- The state doesn’t supply enough dentists to provide care for those in rural and low-income communities.
How Medicaid-Enrolled Children’s Acess to Oral Care Can Be Increased
Health providers and advocates can take steps to make progress to secure early oral health care for children enrolled in Medicaid. Below are the following steps to be taken for children of low-income families to count on programs for care:
- Programs can be preserved by prioritizing which services can be offered and where they will be provided. Leaders of school-based programs for oral health should consider utilizing mobile dental shifting care to different community buildings to keep care open to students.
- Utilize programs like Telehealth to provide children and families with online virtual guidance when developing healthy dental habits at home.
- Materials should be confirmed to inform the school administrators, staff, and student’s families about the importance and safety of oral health program services.
- Training can be increased in dental schools to equip general dentists to treat Medicaid-enrolled children.
- Children’s oral health can be included in the primary care of dental providers, providing a strong connection between primary care providers and dentists as there will be a dental network to refer to after conducting a well-child visit.
Conclusion
Do you have or do you know a child who is enrolled in Medicaid and in need of a pediatric dental visit? If you have care concerns or need tips for finding care, your local Montana pediatric dentist team can help. Trust the professionals at Lolo Dentistry, the expert children’s dentist in the Western Montana area, to help you keep your child’s teeth healthy. There are three dental offices to serve you in Lolo, Frenchtown, and Superior for Mineral County, Montana, call us at 406-284-8669 for more information on procedures, dentistry, reviews, and more.
Trust the professionals at Lolo Dentistry, expert Missoula dentists, to help you keep your child’s teeth healthy. There are three dental offices to serve you in Lolo, Frenchtown, and Superior for Mineral County, Montana, call us at 406-284-8669 for more information on procedures, dentistry, reviews, and more today! We are one of the only children’s dentists in Montana that accepts Medicaid.