Dentists Who Take Medicaid Are No Longer Hard to Find

When looking at the Medicaid coverage map, it’s clear that many areas—especially in the Southeast—have a low Medicaid acceptance rate. However, the dentists at Kool Smiles accept Medicaid at all 120+ locations nationwide and never limit the amount of Medicaid patients they see on a daily basis.

Dental care is crucial for kids and adults alike. If a cavity goes untreated or overcrowded teeth get ignored, it could lead to major issues like gingivitis, tooth decay and, eventually, periodontal disease. We recommend seeing a dentist every six months, if possible, to check your oral health and to ensure your teeth, jaw and gums receive proper care.

Kool Smiles offers high-quality dental care for all families, no matter your financial circumstances. Call us at 254-781-0553 to find a location near you.

Kool Smiles Dentists and Orthodontists Take Medicaid

Finding dentists who take Medicaid is possible and it can be done in just three easy steps. Here’s what you need to do, if you feel you qualify for Medicaid:

1. Enroll—Enter some basic information to find out if you are eligible for Medicaid and learn how to enroll. Each state has different policies about who is eligible for coverage. Some states require only a certain income level to qualify while other states require information concerning household size, family status and more.
2. Find a location—See if there’s a Kool Smiles near you by calling 254-781-0553. Most of our offices are open for extended hours during the week and nearly all have Saturday hours. Best of all, we’re always accepting new patients!
3. Make an appointment—Once you’ve found a Kool Smiles office near you, give us a call and request an appointment. You can also download patient forms in English or Spanish and many locations have Spanish-speaking employees who will be happy to assist you.

Even if you do not qualify for Medicaid, you have plenty of payment options at Kool Smiles.

Payment Accepted at Kool Smiles Offices

Customers may pay by cash, credit card or the CareCredit program to receive quality dental care at an affordable price. CareCredit is essentially a credit card to be used for health and wellness needs, including dental care needs. Using CareCredit can help save you from hefty medical bills that you can’t afford by offering healthcare financing options.

At our dental offices, we accept most major insurance providers and state-specific insurance plans. We also have dentists who take Medicaid. In addition to Medicaid, we also accept TRICARE at every location as well as a number of State Children’s Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP).

We also offer Resolution Dental Plan. In this discount plan, you pay for a membership and save on dental care needs. Members also have access to up-front pricing, so you know exactly what to expect for an upcoming service or treatment.

If you want to learn more or have questions about available payment plans for dental care or dental services, call Kool Smiles at 254-781-0553 to speak with a representative. They can talk you through the process and help you find a dentist who takes Medicaid in your area.

What Dental Services Are Covered Under Medicaid?

Not all dentists take Medicaid and not all dental treatment is covered under Medicaid, which can be problematic—and expensive. Coverage varies state by state, but here are the typical dental care benefits for children who are covered under Medicaid.

Oral health assessments for children are covered, and if dental treatment is deemed medically necessary by a dentist, this should be covered under Medicaid. Medical necessity varies by state, but child healthcare is considered an important part of a child’s overall health and well-being.

If a condition is found during a regular screening, the state is required to treat that condition, whether it’s included in the child’s plan or not.

To support Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Keep Kids Smiling: Promoting Oral Health Through the Medicaid Benefit for Children & Adolescents was created to educate parents on their coverage, promote oral health and improve Medicaid programs.

Why Do You Need to See a Dentist?

Although many Americans fear the dentist, getting regular dental cleanings is important for your oral health and can protect you from oral disease, which can spread to other parts of your body.

Here’s why you should prioritize visits to the dentist:

• You can have fillings, dental implants, or other dental procedures done in order to make sure everything is in working order and doesn’t need to be replaced.
• A dentist can recommend better strategies to increasing your oral habits and preventing decay or disease from appearing.
• You can receive a deep cleaning that will remove plaque and tartar from your teeth.
• The dentist can advise on what treatments need to be done, if any, and recommend you to an orthodontist or other specialist.

The American Academy of Periodontology recommends that every adult receive a periodontal evaluation each year. In this evaluation, a dentist will evaluate your teeth, gums and plaque buildup to make sure your oral health is strong and no follow-up treatment is needed.

What could happen if you don’t see a dentist? Cavities and root canals are never fun, but there are bigger concerns. Here are some things that could happen if you avoid the dentist and neglect your oral health:

• You could have an abscessed tooth, leading to a sinus infection or an infection that causes your teeth to fall out or damages your jaw bone.
• You could develop gingivitis that, if left untreated, could develop into a periodontal disease.
• Bacteria could destroy the enamel and lead to significant tooth decay, leading to cavities and, if those went untreated, could lead to tooth loss.

In a recent study, people with serious gum disease were 40% more likely to have a chronic condition on top of it. This is why seeing a dentist periodically is important. You want to avoid a an oral health problem before it occurs.

Dental Services for Adults Enrolled in Medicaid

Even though dental coverage is mandatory for children enrolled in Medicaid, this isn’t true for adults with Medicaid coverage. A few states refuse to cover dental services, and others cover specific services, treatments and procedures. Out of the states that do offer dental services, they typically offer dental services that fall under one of the three categories listed here:

Depending on where you live and what coverage you receive, chances are you might end up having to pay for dental services out of pocket, which can be stressful for your family. This is why it’s important to choose a dental office that takes Medicaid and/or offers various payment plans. That way, you take care of your oral health and stay on top of your dental needs.

Visit a Kool Smiles Office Today

Seeing a dentist every six months is important to maintain your oral health—and now you understand why. If you’re looking for dentists who takes Medicaid, look no further than Kool Smiles.

We are a leading provider of quality dental care and make it convenient and easy to get the care you need. With open hours on nights and weekends, you don’t have to skip work to take your children to the dentist. We also believe in using a “tell, show, do” technique, so kids understand what to expect and relieve any anxieties they may have.

Visit one of our locations or give us a call today at 254-781-0553 to schedule an appointment or speak with a Kool Smiles representative.

We’ll put you in touch with dentists who take Medicaid so you can get the dental care you and your family deserves.