Senate Health Committee talks pediatric dentistry, Medicaid

Plus the new Senator in the 26th LD, why eligible workers aren't taking paid family leave, and more Mullet time on the Eastside

Dental health was a particular focus of our Re-Wire panel on health care access, which featured Senate Health and Long-term Care Chair Annette Cleveland, and Rep. Michelle Caldier, a dentist by training and a member of the House Health Committee. Cleveland’s committee dug into the issue this week.

Despite the launch of the Access to Baby and Child Dental program 20 years ago, just 55% of Washington children with Medicaid have seen a dentist, Dr. John Gibbons with the Washington State Dental Association, told the committee. The program connects low-income families with children six years and younger to dental insurance, care, and parental education on oral health. The goal is for every child to have a dental home and first visit by their first birthday.

Washington dentists in private practice testified about the cost barriers to providing dental care to children with Medicaid. Dental private practices struggle to accept pediatric Medicaid patients, and more of these patients are being routed to federally qualified health centers, where reimbursement rates are more favorable.

In Washington, the Medicaid reimbursement rate for pediatric dental services is among the lowest nationwide, providers said in committee. Increasing the Medicaid reimbursement rate for these services would make it possible for private providers to serve more low-income children. In other words, pediatric dentists join the unfortunate club of providers urging Washington lawmakers to increase state spending on Medicaid, a tough sell given the $10-12B crater in the operating budget.

Keeping smiles bright is just part of it. Oral health is an important, if overlooked, component of a child’s full-body health. Photo by S&B Vonlanthen on Unsplash