WHY IS THERE LIMITED ACCESS TO DENTAL CARE FOR MEDICAID AS WELL AS NON-MEDICAID CHILDREN?
1. Lack of dental insurance coverage and inadequate financial resources to pay for dental treatment for children among the non-Medicaid population are obvious ones. 2. Limited availability of dental care providers, e.g. many general dentists are unwilling to treat young children and very few dentists accept Medicaid patients. 3. Often low priority given to dental services for their children by underserved Medicaid as well as non-Medicaid “working poor” families, due to other competing family priorities. As a result, children who cannot seek care on their own are the ones who suffer the most. THE SOLUTION: SCHOOL-BASED DENTAL PROGRAMS The best and proven way to enhance access to dental services for vulnerable children is through school-based dental programs. Rochester’s School-Based Dental Program can be used as a model. • Children receive high quality dental care from dentists and dental hygienists. The services include dental prophylaxis, fluoride, sealant and restorative treatments.
