The increased costs of dental supplies, staffing salaries and lease costs are causing financial strains for Texas dental practices dedicated to providing care to Medicaid patients, according to a July 22 report by Texas Dentists for Medicaid Reform.
According to the report, since 2010, the salaries for new and experienced dental assistants, front office staff, office managers and dental billers have all increased by at least 35%.
Since 2010, the cost of dental supplies including surgical masks, latex gloves and flowable composite material have all increased by more than 90%.
Additionally, the cost to lease or rent the space for a dental practice has also increased by more than 40%, the report said.
While the costs to operate and staff dental practices have significantly increased, Texas Health and Human Services has not adequately increased Medicaid reimbursements, according to authors of the report. The 2007 schedule set in 2007 has seen a 2% decrease.
Medicaid dental spending by Texas has not increased since 2011, according to reports from the Texas HHS website.
Texas HHS Provider Finance is set to review Medicaid dental fees later this year, the release said.