Donate
As dental professionals, we understand the significant role we play in the health and well-being of children. Yet, millions of children in underserved communities across the United States still face challenges accessing the dental care they need. With Medicaid benefits being a critical resource for many families, the proposed cuts to Medicaid are poised to exacerbate these existing disparities, leaving vulnerable children without essential dental care. In this post, we will discuss the problem, explore how we are addressing it, and how you, as a dental professional, can make a profound impact on improving access to care.
Millions of children in the United States struggle with untreated dental conditions due to systemic barriers to access. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1 in 5 children aged 5 to 11 have at least one untreated decayed tooth, and 1 in 3 children aged 12 to 19 suffer from untreated cavities. The majority of these children are from low-income families, where accessing regular dental care is a significant challenge.
For many of these families, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are lifelines, covering dental services that might otherwise be out of reach. However, Medicaid often falls short of fully addressing children’s dental needs. Many Medicaid programs have limited coverage, excluding essential treatments like orthodontics or restorative care, and reimbursement rates for providers are often too low to incentivize participation. According to a report by the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), Medicaid reimbursement rates for dental services are often insufficient to attract enough dental professionals to serve Medicaid beneficiaries.
Further compounding the issue are the proposed budget cuts to Medicaid, which threaten to reduce benefits and further limit access to care. The cuts could result in more children going without essential dental treatments, worsening their oral health and overall well-being. If enacted, these cuts will particularly impact children in underserved areas who already face significant challenges in accessing care due to geographic and financial barriers.
America’s ToothFairy focuses on improving both access to dental care and oral health literacy for children, particularly in underserved communities.
Our Dental Resource Program (DRP) helps children in marginalized communities access free dental screenings, cleanings, and fluoride treatments by partnering with nonprofit dental clinics and community-based organizations serving children in marginalized communities. This is especially vital in areas with limited access to dental providers. More importantly, the safety-net dental clinics that participate in the program provide a dental home for children who would otherwise fall through the cracks.
The DRP also supports school-based and mobile dental clinics, which bring services directly to children in schools and other community centers. These initiatives reduce barriers like transportation issues and long wait times for appointments, making it easier for children to get the care they need where they live, learn, and play.
In addition to providing care, America’s ToothFairy is dedicated to raising oral health literacy through educational programs that teach children and families about the importance of good oral hygiene and preventive care. Through our Health Education Resources and Outreach Program (HERO) and other education initiatives nearly 1 million kids and caregivers learned about oral health last year alone.
As a dental professional, your involvement is crucial in addressing the growing need for dental care and education. Here are several ways you can make a difference whether the Medicaid cuts happen or not:
Given the total U.S. population of children under 18 (about 74 million), approximately 10 to 12 million children may not receive any dental care annually, particularly in underserved communities. According to the ADA, there are approximately 200,000 dentists in the United States. If every dentist in the U.S. volunteered at a nonprofit dental clinic, school-based program, or mobile dental unit for just one day each month, approximately 21.6 million children could receive dental care in one year. That would provide two dental visits for almost every child who currently does not receive care and connect them with a dental home for routine and preventive care, not just free care when they have an urgent dental need. (For a list of nonprofit dental providers that participate in our program, click here.)
As a dental professional, you are in a unique position to educate both your patients and the wider community about the importance of oral health. Share information on proper oral hygiene, the impact of untreated dental issues on overall health, and the availability of resources like Medicaid and CHIP. Engaging in community outreach and hosting dental education sessions can help combat oral health disparities, even as access to care becomes more limited.
Our website offers an array of free educational resources to use at health fairs or presentations at places like schools or public libraries. Or, you can sponsor education kits for health advocates including school nurses, librarians, teachers, and other community volunteers through our Smile Guardian Program.
As Medicaid faces potential cuts, advocacy is more important than ever. You can help by advocating for the continued inclusion of comprehensive dental benefits under Medicaid and educate your patients and the community about the importance of dental health policies and encourage them to voice their support to lawmakers. Here are a few organizations to connect with that advocate for policy that helps families access dental care:
American Dental Association
Delta Dental Institute
CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
American Network of Oral Health Coalitions
Your state or local dental society
If you’re unable to volunteer your time, donate to support initiatives that provide essential care and oral health education to children in need. We are proud to have received the highest ratings from charity watchdog organizations including Candid and Charity Navigator for our transparency and efficiency in delivering resources to organizations to increase access to dental services for kids living in underserved communities across the nation.
The proposed cuts to Medicaid could have devastating effects on the dental care children in underserved communities receive. However, dental professionals have the power to make a significant impact. By volunteering, supporting community-based programs, advocating for policy changes, and raising awareness, you can help ensure that every child receives the dental care they deserve, regardless of their socioeconomic status or where they live.
Organizations like America’s ToothFairy are already making a difference, but we need more dental professionals to step up and get involved. Together, we can bridge the gap in access to care and improve the oral health of children across the country. Will you join us in making a lasting impact?
Citations:
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Oral Health: Children and Adolescents." CDC, 2020.
• Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission. "Medicaid and CHIP Dental Services." MACPAC, 2020.
