Finding a Dentist That Accepts Medicaid is Something to Smile About

While two-thirds of dentists don’t accept Medicaid, you can count on the dentists at Kool Smiles to take this form of insurance. At Kool Smiles, we strategically place our office locations in underserved areas where our dentists can provide quality oral healthcare. Our goal is to provide dental services for every child, especially those that come from low-income families. These children are twice as likely to develop untreated tooth decay, which can wreak havoc if not addressed properly by a professional dental provider.

Kool Smiles is a network of family-friendly dentists that makes finding affordable dental care easy for patients without insurance. We welcome Medicaid patients at each of our locations throughout the United States. You can call us at 254-781-0553 to make an appointment with a dentist that accepts Medicaid at a Kool Smiles location near you.

What Dental Care Does Medicaid Cover?

Dentists that accept Medicaid can provide different dental care options depending on where they are located. Although Medicaid is a government funded program, benefits can be slightly different for each state, which affects the dental services that your child can receive without pay. However, using Medicaid at the dentist is easy when you come to Kool Smiles. All children under the age of 21 can receive services from our dental providers, with their Medicaid plan, which includes early and periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment services (EPSDT).

At Kool Smiles, our dentists can help patients with any medically necessary treatments, which are typically covered by Medicaid. Other dental services that Medicaid patients can receive include:

• Maintenance of dental health—Regularly scheduled screenings and cleanings for your child’s teeth will allow for a healthy smile to develop.
• Relief of pain and infections—If your child has tooth pain, don’t hesitate to bring him or her to our dentists, so they can diagnose and treat any infections.
• Restoration of teeth—When a restoration is necessary, your child may need a crown or cavity filling to prevent the spread of tooth decay.

Why Children Need to Visit the Dentist

From toddlers to teenagers, it’s important for children of all ages to visit the dentist. The American Dental Association suggests that children should have their first dental visit when their first baby tooth appears—usually by the time your child turns one. Bringing your kid to the dentist twice a year will help improve their oral health by:

• Checking for tooth decay or disease
• Using preventative fluoride cleanings
• Restoring teeth with crowns or fillings to stop the spread of cavities
• Teaching children and parents about proper dental hygiene

Whether your child is in need of emergency dental treatment, an orthodontist or just a general dentist for primary care, you can bring him or her to Kool Smiles where you can work with dentists that accept Medicaid and many other health care insurances. Call 254-781-0553 for an appointment.

Find a Kool Smiles that Accepts Medicaid

You can find a Kool Smiles dentist near you that accepts Medicaid under no restrictions. Here is some important information regarding Medicaid and Kool Smiles.

• Every Kool Smiles location accepts Medicaid, and every customer with Medicaid will be treated.
• Unlike many other dental facilities, Kool Smiles does not limit the number of Medicaid patients who can be seen on any given day.
• Medicaid typically covers patients under the age of 21.
• To apply or find out if you qualify for Medicaid, visit the Healthcare.gov website and select your state. You may also call 1-877-543-7669.
• In addition to Medicaid, Kool Smiles also accepts a number of other insurance plans, including TRICARE, CHIP and more.
• Even if you don’t have Medicaid or any other type of insurance, Kool Smiles can treat your family. Patients may pay by cash or credit card or even open a CareCredit account.

How Kool Smiles Provides Better Dental Care

Not only do our dentists accept Medicaid and several other insurances, but Kool Smiles works to simplify dental care for kids across the country. We do this by:

• Creating a fun environment—Your child will have the opportunity to play games, read books and even run around on a playground (at select locations), so they will enjoy their visit to the dentist. When it comes time to make your next appointment, your kid will be excited to come to Kool Smiles where they are welcomed and catered to by our professional staff.
• Training our staff to work specifically with children—Our dentists are friendly and gentle with each patient, and we use special tools that are designed to fit easily inside the mouths of children.
• Providing viewing rooms—If your child gets nervous in the dentist chair, that’s not a problem at Kool Smiles. Parents have the option to sit in on their kid’s appointment, or watch from a viewing room, so each child can feel comfortable knowing that their parent is close by.
• Opening our doors on weekends—For several of our locations, we are open on Saturdays and Sundays. This allows for more available appointments, so you can find the right time to take your child to the dentist without interfering with your busy schedule.
• Getting involved in the community—Kool Smiles cares about improving smiles for all children, even if they aren’t our patients. With events like Sharing Smiles Day and Operation Troop Treat, we give every kid the chance to improve their oral health. To learn more about these events, contact your local Kool Smiles office today.

How Will Kool Smiles Help Plan My Child’s Dental Visit?

When you consult with one of our dental staff members, they can help determine exactly what is and isn’t covered by your Medicaid insurance. If you are looking for services that are not included in your coverage plan, we can also work out a payment plan that fits your budget. Our dentists are proud to accept Medicaid, TRICARE, state children’s health insurance programs (SCHIP) and other forms of insurance to provide your child with the best possible dental care at the most affordable price.

Why Choose Kool Smiles?

Kool Smiles provides quality dental care at all of our locations, as well as offers orthodontic, endodontic and pediatric services at select offices. When you visit one of our locations, you can expect to be greeted by our helpful professionals, and we’ll work with you regardless of whether or not you have insurance to develop manageable payment options.

When you and your child come to Kool Smiles, you’ll get more than just a dental cleaning and checkup. We teach our patients good oral hygiene habits that parents can instill at home, including:

• Regular brushing and flossing—Children should be taught at an early age that brushing your teeth at least twice a day is necessary for proper oral health. Flossing should be encouraged as well to get into the small spaces where food debris remains between teeth.
• Using a fluoride toothpaste—Fluoride dental care products help prevent tooth decay and promote strong tooth enamel. However, you should always watch your children as they brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste to make sure they don’t swallow it, which could cause an upset stomach if too much is consumed.
• Discouraging foods that are bad for your tooth enamel—Kids love sugary foods and drinks, but these can cause dental health issues like cavities and tooth decay. Ensuring that your child knows that these foods should only be consumed in moderation will help him or her develop a healthier smile.
• Understanding dental visits are important and necessary—It’s a great idea to get your child acclimated to the dentist at a young age, because appointments twice a year are the best way to maintain your kid’s oral health.

Additionally, we want to be able to communicate with all of our patients and their families. That’s why many Kool Smiles facilities employ bilingual dentists and customer representatives to provide free translation services to our patients and their families. Most Kool Smiles locations will even treat adults with a full range of dental services.

Call Us Today for Affordable Dental Care from a Dentist that Accepts Medicaid

Tooth decay is the most common disease among children, and our mission is to provide families in communities that are often overlooked with quality dental care. Young teeth need more attention in order to develop healthy habits and a healthy smile, and our dental providers are here to make sure that your child receives any treatments that he or she may need.

To find the best dentists that accept Medicaid near you, call Kool Smiles at 254-781-0553. We can help you learn more about our affordable dental options and schedule an appointment.

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Sources:

The Wealthy Dentist: http://thewealthydentist.com/surveyresults/084-dental-medicaid-patients.htm/

CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/children_adults/child.htm

Medicaid.gov: https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/benefits/epsdt/index.html

The Center for Pediatric Dentistry: https://thecenterforpediatricdentistry.com/for-parents-and-patients/why-early-childhood/

HealthCare.gov: https://www.healthcare.gov/get-coverage/

Dental Health: https://www.dentalhealth.org/fluoride

National Center for Biotechnology Information: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2821841/