
If you kid gets into some sort of accident or sports-related injury, you may find yourself seeking emergency dental care in a clinic that honors Medicaid. Whatever dental emergency your kid might experience or no matter when it happens, it is important to know what to do and be familiar about your dentist’s emergency care policies.
Take note, though, that true medical emergencies warrant an immediate call to 911. As for dental emergencies, gain a better understanding of them by going through this article.
A dental emergency pertains to any injury to the teeth and surrounding tissues that necessitates urgent treatment from a dental professional. Common injuries include swollen gums and chipped teeth.
If you don’t know for sure if your kid’s case is a true dental emergency, answer the following questions below:
If any of the questions above elicited “yes” for an answer, then there’s a high chance that your kid is having a dental emergency and you should contact your dentist right away. If the injury seems serious or severe enough to endanger your kid’s health, you may also call 911. Take note, though, that most emergency rooms don’t have a dentist on stand-by and the available staff may not be able to assist if the problem is purely dental. Thus, we advise that you also look for a nearby dental clinic to have any necessary emergency dental treatment done right away.
The following dental injuries are considered emergencies, and therefore require prompt treatment:
Once you notice that your kid’s wisdom tooth is starting to come out (usually at around age 17 to 21) and there are symptoms of infection or inflammation in the area, consult the dentist as soon as you can.
Dental emergencies happen, but there’s so much you can do to prevent your kid from experiencing them. Avoid the need for emergency dental treatment by taking good care of your kid’s oral health. Teach him or her proper oral hygiene practices early on and take him or her to the dentist on a regular basis — preferably at least two times a year.
If your kid is suffering from a dental emergency, it is recommended to go to the dentist as soon as you can. However, while you’re at home preparing to bring your kid in, here are a few tips to reduce the pain or discomfort he or she might be experiencing at the moment:
Once you get your kid to a dental clinic that accepts Medicaid, an emergency dental treatment will be performed and it can be any of the following:
The emergency treatment that will be rendered depends on the case, the needs of the patient, and the complications if the condition is left untreated.
In most states, Medicaid covers for all necessary dental procedures, including emergency dental treatment. Generally speaking, however, not all dental procedures are covered by Medicaid.
In states where emergency dental services are included, your kid can only avail such services if you are currently enrolled in Medicaid. To avail of these services, you must also have to:
As for adults, it depends on the state whether or not Medicaid covers emergency dental services. Currently, there are six states that do not include any dental services in the program — and yes, even emergency dental care.
Sources:
Consumer Guide to Dentistry: http://www.yourdentistryguide.com/emergency/
Medical News Today: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320552.php
MedlinePlus: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000058.htm?_ga=2.43511335.342550637.1534283646-1947534783.1532464733
ADA:
http://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/medicaid-and-medicare
National Academy for State Health:
https://nashp.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/default/files/Adult%20Dental%20Monitor.pdf