A coalition of more than 150 oral health and advocacy groups wrote letters to U.S. House and Senate leaders urging them to support the Medicaid Dental Benefit Act, which would make comprehensive dental care a mandatory part of adult Medicaid coverage in every state.

The North Dakota Senate recently passed a bill to expand dental services under Medicaid, KFYR reported April 7.

Several states have worked to implement expanded dental benefits under Medicaid in the last few years to improve the oral health of residents and reduce visits to hospital emergency departments. 

The National Council on Disabilities recently released its second report focused on the oral healthcare needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The American Dental Association is supporting legislation targeting noncovered services provisions in dental and vision insurance plans.

Michigan and New Hampshire have recently expanded their state's dental benefits for adult Medicaid beneficiaries.

Michigan recently expanded dental benefits for adult Medicaid beneficiaries and increased reimbursement rates for dental providers.

The Kentucky legislature recently voted to override Gov. Andy Beshear's veto of a bill that would halt dental, vision and hearing benefits for adult Medicaid recipients.

Dental coverage for adults on Medicaid in New Hampshire have been expanded through the New Hampshire Smiles Adult Program. 

Here are five updates about dental services under Medicare and Medicaid that have taken place since Feb. 20: 

The American Dental Association is supporting legislation that would expand Medicaid dental coverage for adults in every state.

The American Dental Association told CMS it would like to see the agency promote standards for electronic health records that are compatible with the dental industry.

The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry have asked CMS to consider the needs of dental practices in the organization's proposed prior authorization rule.

Most Virginia dentists do not treat Medicaid enrollees, making it difficult for those with state-funded coverage to get care, Virginia Mercury reported March 17.

Connecticut has joined several other states to propose a medical loss ratio for dental payers, WSHU reported March 13.

The contentious relationship between dentists and payers caused by low reimbursement rates and case denials has sparked reform initiatives nationwide.

Tax season is upon us and the American Dental Association has advice for employee dentists and practice owners to help guide them through it.

Twenty-one percent of dentists plan to drop out of at least one dental insurance network within the next three months, according to a poll from the American Dental Association Health Policy Institute.

The American Dental Association asked CMS to improve Medicare Advantage plans by making it easier to understand and compare benefits for dental consumers. 

Two California bills were introduced in February with the goal of holding dental insurance plans accountable and improving dental coverage.