Over the last 15 years, Maryland has led the country in providing resources for children’s dental Medicaid. Our Healthy Smiles program for kids is one of the best in the country. However, Maryland has failed to invest in an adult dental Medicaid program for more than 30 years. After succumbing to budget cuts years ago, Maryland was one of only three states in the country to not offer adult dental Medicaid. 

Luckily, the 2022 Maryland General Assembly heard our message that providing adult dental Medicaid not only helps overall health, but it helps eliminate racial disparities, advance health equity, and lower long-term medical costs.  

Now, starting Jan. 1, 2023, people over the age of 21 and eligible for Medicaid will be able to have dental services through Maryland Healthy Smiles. While the services eligible for reimbursement are not exactly what we would propose, it is a good step forward in providing coverage.

This has the potential to reach hundreds of thousands of Marylanders across the state who go without dental coverage.

And, as of now, less than 500 dentists participate in the Adult Dental Pilot Program through the Healthy Smiles program. In fact, Marko Vujicic, from the ADA’s Health Policy Institute, presented to the Oral Health Task Force recently that “Maryland has relatively low engagement of dentists in Medicaid compared to other states.” We must do better. It’s imperative that we, as dentists, assist patients in getting them the help and quality dentistry they deserve. 

For this expansion of adult dental benefits, the Maryland Department of Health has put together a number of tips for dentists who are already participating in the program who need to revalidate their participation, as well as those who might want to participate for the first time in Maryland Healthy Smiles. 

I urge you to sign up to participate in the program. If you are unsure about treating patients in the Maryland Healthy Smiles program, please sign up for the course, "Giving Back to Your Community by Participating in Maryland Healthy Smiles," at the Chesapeake Dental Conference, on Saturday, Sept. 10, at noon. We will have loads of information about access to care, the Maryland Healthy Smiles program, and how to sign up,

There will also be representatives of SkyGen at the Conference. Stop and visit with them if you are unsure or have been frustrated in the past. They need to hear from us, as well.

Have a wonderful weekend before school starts!