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At Issue
The ADA is committed to increasing the pool of dentists who participate in Medicaid and supports dentists who deliver services to underserved patients. To do this, the ADA lobbies for fair reimbursement—which typically falls well below actual costs—and works to reduce administrative barriers that often deter dentists from accepting Medicaid patients. Our aim is to ensure that more Americans get quality oral health services.
Medicaid is an important safety net. Currently, this program serves more than 42 million Americans, including vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, the disabled and the elderly. The advocacy by the ADA and by state dental associations has had significant results. The Michigan Dental Association, for example, through its "Healthy Kids Dental" program, increased dentists' participation in one year from less than 25% (in 2000) to more than 80% (in 2001). Currently, 90% of Michigan's dentists participate in Medicaid. In addition to enhancing the oral health of vulnerable populations, the program has cut in half the time it takes a Medicaid recipient to travel to a participating dentist's office and has significantly increased the number of children with a "dental home."
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ADA Priorities
- The ADA urges the Congress to maintain the federal requirement for dental services under EPSDT and extend medically necessary services to Medicaid-eligible adults.
- The ADA urges the Congress to preserve the federal financing role in the Medicaid program and update the federal matching formula to address economic changes.
- The ADA believes preventive dental services should be exempt from cost-sharing requirements.
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Letters and Testimony
- February 14, 2008—Statement submitted by the ADA to the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Domestic Policy | PDF file/37k
- Testimony by ADA President-elect Mark Feldman with Rep. Albert Wynn (D-Md.) announcing the introduction of “Essential Oral Health Care Act” | PDF file/29k
- May 16, 2005—Letter to HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt nominating Dr. Jane Grover to serve on the Medicaid Commission | PDF file/25k
- May 10, 2005—Letter to HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt supporting the establishment of and urging dental representation on the Medicaid Commission | PDF file/25k
- May 5, 2005—Letter to Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) supporting a bill to permit local public agencies to act as Medicaid enrollment brokers (H.R. 306) | PDF file/15k
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Additional Resources
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Contact Us
For additional information, please contact:
- Janice Kupiec, Manager, Legislative & Regulatory Policy, Federal Affairs
- Paul O'Connor, Legislative Liaison, State Government Affairs
Federal Affairs
1111 14th Street NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005
202.898.2400
Fax: 202.898.2437
E-mail: govtpol@ada.org
State Government Affairs
ADA Chicago Headquarters
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
312.440.2525
Fax: 312.440.3539
E-mail: govtpol@ada.org
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