HIGHER RATES OF DENTAL CARE FOR CHILDREN IN MEDICAID

The study, “Increased Use of Dental Services by Children Covered by Medicaid: 2000–2010,” published in Medicare and Medicaid Research Review, documents the continuous progress that has been made in improving children’s access to dental services in Medicaid. We examined trends in children’s use of dental preventive and treatment services from 2000 to 2010, based on reports filed by state agencies. The percent of low-income children receiving dental care in Medicaid rose from 29% in 2000 to 46% in 2010, and the number of children receiving care more than doubled. However, the share of children accessing dental care in Medicaid still varies widely from state to state. To advance progress at both national and state levels, CMS has developed an Oral Health Strategy to work with states and other partners to promote children’s dental healthhttp://www.cms.gov/mmrr/Briefs/B2013/MMRR2013_003_03_b01.html