Dental care utilization rates among children have not recovered to pre-pandemic levels, according to new data from the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute.
The ADA recently released its “Dental Care in Medicaid Programs” report with updated information on dentist participation, dental care utilization, reimbursement rates and more as of 2025.
The report shows children under Medicaid and CHIP continue to have lower utilization rates in comparison to children under private insurance. Data shows 49% of Medicaid/CHIP patients aged 1-20 visited a dentist within the last 12 months in 2024, compared to 44% in 2020 and 52% in 2019.
When it comes to adult Medicaid beneficiaries, the ADA noted that the utilization rate is higher in states with enhanced benefits compared to states with limited or emergency-only benefits.
