The University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine in Aurora has seen a 350 percent increase in Medicaid patients since the state expanded dental coverage, according to a September report from the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health.
According to the oral health advocacy group, 21 states and the District of Columbia provide extensive Medicaid dental benefits. Until 2013, Colorado only covered children under 21 and adults with emergency dental conditions. In 2014 adults were given up to $1,000 annually to cover dental services. In 2019, the benefit was increased to $1,500.
CareQuest examined dental services provided at the dental school and federally qualified health centers since dental coverage was expanded.
Four study findings:
- The most frequent procedures delivered were tooth-saving procedures, such as restorations and extractions, rather than preventive treatments.
- The school saw a 51 percent increase in tooth-saving procedures, while the number of extractions decreased by 22 percent.
- Tooth-saving procedures increased in all ethnicities and all ages over the age of 21.
- Several Medicaid dental offices serving children transitioned into family practices, allowing them to treat more patients.