State Medicaid Pregnancy Dental Coverage

Full Description: Dental care during pregnancy and the postpartum period influences health outcomes for both parent and child. Poor oral health is associated with low birthweight, preeclampsia, other pregnancy complications, and a lower quality of life. Research indicates that all dental care, including procedures that require dental anesthesia during pregnancy, is safe. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend diagnostic, preventative, restorative, emergency, and periodontal care for pregnant people.
Nationally, 73 percent of women had dental insurance during pregnancy, but only 48 percent received a dental cleaning during pregnancy. Importantly, racial and economic disparities in oral health improvement in the United States persist. Access to dental clinics, insurance status, financial resources and underrepresentation of people of color in the dental workforce are cited as structural barriers for people of color to access dental care. These disparities are evident among pregnant people: Black and Hispanic pregnant women are less likely to receive dental care, including teeth cleanings before or during pregnancy, than white women.

State Medicaid programs are required to cover dental services for children under 21, but services for pregnant people over 21 are optional. Currently, 29 states and Washington, DC provide extensive dental services for pregnant people. With nearly half of pregnancies in the United States financed by Medicaid, states can play an important role in providing access to dental care for pregnant people through their Medicaid programs.

This poster will use graphics including a map to highlight national trends in Medicaid pregnancy dental coverage based on a 50-state survey, and innovative state approaches and considerations for implementing a state Medicaid pregnancy dental benefit. The poster will spotlight lessons learned from the implementation of Virginia’s dental benefit for pregnant people and provide relevant information for state officials and advocates working to increase coverage and access to dental services for pregnant populations.

Abbreviated Description: Dental care during pregnancy and the postpartum period influences health outcomes for both parent and child. Research indicates that all dental care, including procedures that require dental anesthesia during pregnancy, is safe, however, disparities persist in access to dental care for pregnant people. With nearly half of all pregnancies in the United States covered by Medicaid, the program plays an important role in supporting oral health for pregnant people. Currently, 29 states and Washington, DC provide extensive dental services for pregnant people. This poster will provide a map of current Medicaid dental coverage for pregnant people based on a 50-state survey, and spotlight lessons learned from Virginia’s dental benefit for pregnant people.