The ADA commended Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., for introducing legislation that would make comprehensive dental care a mandatory component of Medicaid coverage for adults in every state.
In a March 17 letter, ADA President George R. Shepley, D.D.S., and Executive Director Raymond A. Cohlmia, D.D.S., thanked Sen. Cardin for introducing S. 570, the Medicaid Dental Benefits Act of 2023, saying that “Less than half of the states provide ‘extensive’ dental coverage for adults in their Medicaid programs” and “The others offer limited benefits, emergency-only coverage, or nothing at all for adults.”
Drs. Shepley and Cohlmia noted in the letter that “we must not forget the important lessons COVID-19 has taught us about our health system. The pandemic has shone a spotlight on the inadequacies within our social safety net programs, most starkly in oral health care. During the pandemic, nearly half of U.S. adults reported delaying dental care. And unfortunately, this problem has only grown due to the large increases in Medicaid enrollment since the start of the pandemic.”
Source: ADA commends introduction of Medicaid Dental Benefits Act of 2023 / American Dental Association
I’m a 58 yr old woman who needs teeth pulled and dentures badly. I have broken crumbled teeth some too the root. I’m always so tired and wonder if my teeth are affecting my health. I’ve been on disability since 2011 but was told medicaid won’t cover and can’t afford a dentist on $1000 a month. I’m always in pain but won’t have teeth pulled unless i can get dentures. I have severe anxiety and would not leave home without teeth. I just keep my mouth closed and don’t smile now. I’m highly depressed over this issue, and don’t understand why Texas Medicaid won’t help people like me. My teeth hurt constantly and don’t even feel like my teeth anymore.