Dentists Who Accept Medicaid Near Me
Are you looking for kid-friendly dentists who accept Medicaid near you? A lot of dental offices don’t accept patients with Medicaid, which makes it difficult for some children to get the dental care they need to maintain a healthy smile. Luckily, Kool Smiles accepts Medicaid, TRICARE and other state-funded programs.
To learn about our affordable dental care options, call Kool Smiles at 254-781-0553 and talk with one of our helpful staff members about pricing, insurance and scheduling an appointment.
Do I Need to Bring My Child to the Dentist?
Did you know that more than 40% of children have some form of tooth decay by the time they reach kindergarten? The Center for Disease Control also states that at least one in every five children suffer from tooth decay. This is especially true for kids whose families have a lower income, because dental care is expensive and costly, especially without insurance.
When you come to Kool Smiles, we can help you determine what Medicaid will pay for when your child needs dental care. We can also discuss costs and payment options for anything that is not included in your dental coverage. Even if you have little to no dental insurance, you should never let this stop you from bringing your child to the dentist. Proper oral care is a necessary and important part of a kid’s health, and we can help you find affordable options that fit your budget.
Routine dental visits and oral health checkups are recommended by dentists for many reasons, including:
- Prevention of oral health issues—Seeing the dentist can help prevent dental issues from happening in the first place because dental providers clean, examine and take care of teeth as they grow and develop. Kool Smiles dentists also educate parents and children on the importance of oral hygiene, and show kids how to brush and floss their teeth for a healthier smile.
- Restoration of teeth—If a dentist does find a problem with your child’s teeth, like a cavity or infection, they can provide services to restore their dental health. Without seeing a dental healthcare professional on a regular basis, your child may not get the treatment that they need, and they could end up feeling pain, worsening tooth decay or damaging their permanent teeth due to oral health concerns that went unaddressed.
- Better eating and speaking ability—Problems with the jaw or tooth alignment can cause children to have difficulty chewing their food or speaking well. This can sometimes constitute the need for medically necessary braces, which are covered by Medicaid. To find a dentist that accepts Medicaid near you, come to Kool Smiles and find out how we can improve the oral health of your child at a low cost.
- Improvement of overall health—When bacteria and harmful acids are not removed from the teeth regularly, they can create a breeding ground for more bacteria to grow. If poor oral hygiene is a constant issue that persists over time, it can lead to other serious health problems such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Visiting the dentist twice a year can help remove plaque and tartar buildup, as well as teach patients about proper dental practices for self-care.
Whether you need a general dentist for primary care, or have emergency dental needs, don’t delay your child’s dental care. Bring your child to Kool Smiles, where you’ll find dentists near you who accept Medicaid.
How Does Medicaid Help Provide Child Dental Care?
Although many benefits vary by state, Medicaid entitles all children under the age of 21 to dental care services. The Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit provides your child with dental services that include:
- Relief of pain and infections
- Restoration of teeth
- Maintenance of dental health
Frequent checkups every six months will help your child develop a healthy smile, and Medicaid dental plans cover the cost of any necessary treatments. Find a dentist near you that accepts Medicaid, so your child can have good oral health, without the worry of paying for expensive dental care services.
What Dental Services Does Kool Smiles Offer?
When you and your child come to one of our dental offices, we can perform a wide range of oral care services that typically fall under Medicaid coverage for children. These treatments include, but are not limited to:
- Routine exams—Regularly scheduled dental appointments usually occur every six months, and during this visit your dentist can check on the development of your child’s teeth, as well as identify any problems, like cavities, infections or abnormalities.
- X-rays—Diagnostic tests, like X-rays, are a useful tool that can spot hard-to-see tooth decay and other dental abnormalities. Dentists can also see how adult teeth are forming before they break through the gumline, which is helpful in determining the need for orthodontic treatment at an early age.
- Teeth cleanings—When you bring your child in for a dentist visit, his or her teeth will be cleaned using the best tools and techniques at Kool Smiles. Kids usually have a lot of tartar that has developed from sticky plaque and we can remove this hard and porous buildup to prevent it from causing cavities and gum disease.
- Cavity fillings—If your child has a cavity, it’s important to get it filled right away to stop the tooth decay from spreading. If this goes untreated for too long, the inside of the tooth may be affected, which would lead to more dental health issues and costly restoration procedures.
- Root canals—The inside of a tooth, where nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue are found, is called the pulp. When tooth decay or trauma have caused inflammation or infection inside a tooth, a root canal is necessary to remove the damaged pulp and save the surrounding tooth and its enamel.
- Tooth extractions—A dentist may need to pull your child’s tooth due to infection, impaction or decay. We will only remove a tooth if it is necessary for the health of your child’s smile, and you can expect our dental providers will make this an easy and painless process for you and your kid.
Kool Smiles Dentists Accept Medicaid and Other Payment Options
At Kool Smiles, we want every child to receive the dental care they needs. That’s why we strive to make it easy for parents to pay for their child’s dental treatment.
We accept several state-specific insurance providers, such as Healthy Smiles, South Carolina Medicaid, Oklahoma Soonercare, Smiles For Children of Virginia, and MassHealth. We accept most types of insurance, including Medicaid along with state health insurance plans (SCHIP) and all forms of military insurance, such as TRICARE.
We also have cash and credit options, including CareCredit. If you have any questions about what your insurance covers, just give us a call at 254-781-0553, and we’ll help you understand your coverage.
If I have no dental insurance, can I qualify for Medicaid?
Medicaid is free or low-cost health coverage that is awarded based on income, family size and other factors. If you think you may be below the necessary income level, you should apply for Medicaid to see if you can receive benefits that can help pay for the cost of dental care.
What is the difference between Medicaid and Medicare?
Medicare is a federal insurance program, while Medicaid is a joint state and federal assistance program. Medicare serves people that are mostly over the age of 65, as well as other younger individuals that are also disabled. Medicare is the same across the country, while Medicaid can be different depending on the state. Medicaid helps low-income people pay for health services that they could not afford otherwise, and you should check what’s covered in your dental plan before signing up for treatments and procedures. At Kool Smiles, our dentists accept Medicaid and can help parents find out what dental services are fully or partially covered by their plan.
Are adults covered for dental care by Medicaid?
Since Medicaid coverage varies by state, your location will determine whether or not adults are covered for dental health expenses. All children under the age of 21 are entitled to dental care services, but you should double check with your specific state guidelines for more information about the treatment of adult patients by a dental health provider.
Give Your Child a Brighter Smile with Kool Smiles
We don’t want anything to prevent your child from getting the dental treatment they need. That’s why Kool Smiles accepts patients with Medicaid. If you’re looking for dentists who accept Medicaid near you, Kool Smiles is a great choice. In fact, 97% of our patients say they are likely to return and refer others to Kool Smiles.
Call us at 254-781-0553 to schedule your child’s appointment today.
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Sources:
The Center for Pediatric Dentistry: https://thecenterforpediatricdentistry.com/for-parents-and-patients/why-early-childhood/
Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20047475?pg=2&_ga=2.188041387.2060412233.1534952411-936484398.1531842068
CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/children_adults/child.htm
Medicaid: https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/benefits/epsdt/index.html
WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/plaque-causes#1
Colgate: https://www.colgate.com/en-in/oral-health/procedures/tooth-removal/tooth-removal-tooth-extractions
Healthcare.gov: https://www.healthcare.gov/medicaid-chip/getting-medicaid-chip/
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: https://www.hhs.gov/answers/medicare-and-medicaid/what-is-the-difference-between-medicare-medicaid/index.html