10 things to know about the ADA’s successful pilot Medicaid program

The American Dental Association released a report showing that a pilot program increased dentist participation in Medicaid and expanded access to oral health care for beneficiaries, according to a June 16 news release from the ADA. 

As of 2024, about 40% of dentists in the U.S. participate in the Medicaid and CHIP programs, according to ADA data. 

Here are 10 things to know:

1. The program, which began in 2023, included Maryland, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and South Dakota. 
2. The six states were selected because of recent expansions to Medicaid dental benefits, increased reimbursement rates or implemented other changes to improve access to care. The state coalitions shared data, discussed challenges and adapted successful strategies from other states. 
3. The report found that reimbursement increases work best when paired with provider outreach and education.
4. Four of the six participating states increased dentist participation in Medicaid and expanded utilization of dental services among beneficiaries.
5. Maryland increased the number of dentists participating as adult Medicaid providers and had growth in meaningful Medicaid providers, or those seeing more than 100 patients during the state’s fiscal year.
6. Nebraska exceeded its goal for newly enrolled Medicaid dentists and increased paid dental claims.
7. Pennsylvania increased the number of meaningful Medicaid providers.
8. Rhode Island increased Medicaid provider participation by increasing volunteerism of dentists within federally qualified health centers and saw gains in meaningful providers.
9. South Dakota increased dentist participation, meaningful provider engagement and Medicaid beneficiary utilization while increasing the number of preventive services delivered for both children and adults.
10. The ADA launched the Dental Access Partnership Across States successor program for a 2026-2027 cycle, with Montana, Virginia and Iowa being the first three states participating.

Read the full report, Increasing Medicaid Participation in Dentistry: A Blueprint from a Six-State Pilot Program, here.

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