Our article earlier this month, DMO Credentialing Practices Continue to Burn Dental Providers, on the continuing problems with DMO credentialing drew a quick response from several frustrated Texas dentists — and the stories are all too familiar.
“What a mess, I have had doctors I have hired who quit in the midst of credentialing since it is taking so long. It really affects patient care and how we are able to effectively staff our office to meet patient needs. In this day and age we should not have to wait this long for credentialing. Just frustrating.”
“This is a very concerning issue — it’s clear that delays and opaque credentialing practices by DMOs are hurting both providers and patients. Kudos to TDMR for shining a light on how these systemic problems threaten access to dental care in Texas.”
“Even non-DSO credentialing is screwed up. It took me from August 2024 to March of 2025 to get my re-credentialing approved. Same dentist, same office for 25 years, only provider at the location, ONLY dental office in Baylor County. Had already decided in January 2025 if it wasn’t approved I was done with Medicaid.”
We know the frustration is palpable and widespread. These delays are harming practices and patient care. Despite HHSC’s expedited credentialing rules, delays and runarounds continue.
DentaQuest most culpable
According to sources, DentaQuest is the primary culprit. They have been wanting to limit their network as TDMR reported last October, which HHSC supposedly stopped — Foreign-Owned DentaQuest Limits Access to Dental Care for 79% of Medicaid Children in Texas and Providers Outraged Over DentaQuest Limiting Its Network.
Share credentialing problems
TDMR invites other Medicaid dental providers who have experienced unreasonable credentialing delays or denials to share their experiences through comments on this story or via email. Confidentiality is assured.
The more we can shine the light, the more hope there is that something will be done.
Email us at info@tdmr.org or use the form on our Contact page
We began the process, with TMHP, of setting up a second entity under our main office in January of 2025. Our main business entity has been credentialed with TMHP for over 30 years. The approval process completed November 1st,2025. This was after many updates to the info provided and repeated calls with support. They requested the same information and documents multiple times. Inefficiency at its finest.
DentaQuest Credentialing process intentionally limit the provider to get in Medicaid network. That is why whenever I call them, I have to wait for few hours and still no one pick up the phone . I emailed them to ask about the status of the application, just only automatic reply back to me and you never hear from any of them about provider application. DentaQuest received the contract from the Medicaid Department, they should give providers a chance to participate to take care of Medicaid patients or let some other company take over the contract. They should have employees who taking care the provider application, follow up and notify provider about the status of the application as soon as possible.