WELLESLEY, Mass., May 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Georgia lawmakers recently approved approximately $11 million to support an adult dental benefit for people enrolled in Medicaid. This is the first step toward helping low-income adults with Medicaid coverage obtain routine oral health care. Prior to today, the state Medicaid program for adults covered only emergency oral health services – often tooth extractions. This expansion could impact the nearly 640,000 enrolled adults and ultimately ease the burden on Georgia emergency departments.
We applaud this step and hope the remaining states yet to add Medicaid adult dental coverage see the move as an example.
The following is a statement from Steve Pollock, president of DentaQuest, part of Sun Life U.S., which is dedicated to improving the oral health of all through purpose-driven, outcomes-based solutions:
“Georgia policymakers deserve praise for extending oral health care coverage to adults enrolled in Medicaid. Oral health care is health care, and we’ve long known the critical connection between the mouth and one’s overall health. This state policy change is recognition of that importance.