Protecting Children’s Dental Care Access Amid Policy Changes

1

Medicaid insures 37 million children in the US, making it crucial for pediatric dental coverage.
2

Projected Medicaid coverage loss under OBBA may lead to 95,800 additional dental caries cases and $86.5 million in healthcare costs.
3

Barriers to dental care for Medicaid-enrolled children include low dentist participation, geographic access issues, and limited oral health literacy.
4

The OBBA work requirements may unintentionally reduce children's Medicaid coverage, impacting their access to dental care.
5

Policies must focus on reducing administrative burdens and improving dental service uptake to enhance children's oral health outcomes.