It can take some persistence, but these steps often help:
- Start with your plan. Many states deliver Medicaid dental benefits through managed-care or dental plans. The member services number on your card, or the plan’s online directory, lists participating dentists.
- Use our Medicaid dentist finder to look up offices in your area, then call to confirm they are currently accepting new Medicaid patients. Directories can be out of date.
- Check community health centers. Many federally qualified health centers provide dental care and accept Medicaid. See our community health centers directory to find one by state.
- Look at dental schools and hospital dental clinics, which often accept Medicaid.
- For children, Medicaid and CHIP include dental benefits in every state, so ask your child’s plan for a pediatric dentist.
When you call, give your plan name and member ID and ask whether there are limits on the services they provide to Medicaid patients.
Adult dental coverage under Medicaid varies a lot by state. If you’re 65 or older, also see our guide to dental coverage for seniors.
General education only, not a diagnosis or treatment advice. Please see a licensed dentist about your own situation. For a medical emergency (trouble breathing or swallowing, heavy bleeding, a major injury or rapidly spreading swelling), call 911 or go to the nearest ER.