Tuesday, March 27, 2007
The poor face many obstacles in accessing dental care, including difficulty paying for services and finding providers who accept Medicaid. The following resources offer information on state assistance programs, oral health and providers who see patients at little or no cost.
DENTAL-CARE COVERAGE
D.C. Healthy Families: Free insurance program for D.C. residents 19 and younger, their parents or guardians, and pregnant women. 888-557-1116. http://app.doh.dc.gov/services/healthy_families/index.shtm.
Maryland Medical Assistance Program: http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/mma/mmahome.html. 800-492-5231. Also see Office of Oral Health, http://www.fha.state.md.us/oralhealth.
Virginia Smiles for Children: Full coverage for eligible children; limited coverage for adults. 888-912-3456. http://www.dmas.virginia.gov/dental-home.htm. Also see Department of Medical Assistance Services, http://www.dmas.virginia.gov.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidDentalCoverage, http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidDentalCoverage/Downloads/dentalguide.pdf.
LOCATING PROVIDERS
Bureau of Primary Health Care, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: Lists federally qualified health centers, which see patients regardless of ability to pay. http://www.ask.hrsa.gov/pc/index.cfm. (Prospective users should call to ensure dental services are available.)
Doral Dental: Lists some Medicaid-participating providers. 800-417-7140. http://www.doralusa.com/doralusa/FindAProvider/FindAProvider.aspx.
Maryland providers: http://www.fha.state.md.us/oralhealth/pdf/OHRG_2005.pdf.
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research: For finding low-cost dental care. http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/HealthInformation/FindingDentalCare/FactSheet.htm.
Small Smiles: Offers care for Medicaid-qualified children and young adults at 3401 Georgia Ave. NW. (A Langley Park office opens in April.) 202-829-5437. http://members.agd.org/members/Small_Smiles.html.
Virginia providers:804-786-6145. http://www.dmas.virginia.gov/provider_search.ASP. (Call providers listed to confirm they offer dental care; not all do. To locate particular dentists outside the clinics and health centers listed here, see Doral Dental's Web site.)
CARING FOR YOUR TEETH
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry: http://www.aapd.org
American Dental Association: http://www.ada.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Oral Health Resources: http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth
-- January W. Payne
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