The first of July marks the beginning of a new era in Maine’s taxpayer-financed health insurance with a significant expansion in dental coverage. Instead of just covering emergency care, MaineCare, the state’s version of Medicaid, now also covers preventive, restorative, and diagnostic care. 75 dentists have already agreed to accept these patients. One of them is dr. Kailee Williams, who practices at the Waterville Community Dental Center in Oakland, is the first place to serve the underserved. I come from a rural county in upstate New York that struggles with many of the same issues that we see patients struggling with here in Maine.” A total of 217,000 adults with MaineCare, 15% of the state’s population, are now eligible for the dental plan. The 140,000 children enrolled in MaineCare are already receiving dental care. MaineCare Health Insurance for Low-Income Residents is Improving Their Dental Plan This identifies areas that need restoration and allows us to stay one step ahead of oral disease-part-time, non-benefits jobs in retail and hospitality. Chase said, “Preventative measures could have saved me from dentures at 29. I got my first tooth decay when I was 21. By the time I was 25, some of my teeth were missing. By the time I was 29, I had most of my teeth pulled and was told it could have made a difference if I had had preventative care when I was younger offered emergency-only dental care through Medicaid “It’s also more exciting for me to treating more complicated patients with needs that are a little bit harder to meet but a little bit more rewarding,” she said. Chase said, “I think unemployment is high among people with dental problems because it affects not only how you look, but how well you look. I mean, there were times I woke up with cavities causing pain in the floor MaineCare for preventable emergency dental treatment.” Williams said, “She said, ‘Oral care is preventative health care. Oral health is a crucial part of your overall health.”
The first day of July marks the beginning of a new era in Maine’s taxpayer-financed health insurance with a significant expansion of coverage for dental care.
Rather than just covering emergency care, MaineCare, the state’s version of Medicaid, will now also cover preventive, restorative, and diagnostic care.
75 dentists have already agreed to accept these patients.
One of them is dr. Kailee Williams, who practices at the Waterville Community Dental Center in Oakland.
Williams said, “It has always been the passion behind my practice to serve the underserved first. I come from a rural county in upstate New York that struggles with many of the same issues that we see patients struggling with here in Maine.”
A total of 217,000 adults with MaineCare, 15% of the state’s population, are now eligible for the dental plan.
The 140,000 children enrolled in MaineCare are already receiving dental care.
MaineCare health insurance for low-income residents upgrades their dental plan
Williams said: “Essential preventive services are the ones that remove the bacteria from your mouth, identify the spots that need to be restored and those are the ways we can prevent oral disease. “
But the coverage extension is too late for MaineCare recipient Stephanie Chase, who for years had only emergency dental care while working part-time, non-benefit jobs in retail and hospitality.
Chase said, “Preventative measures could have saved me from dentures at 29. I got my first tooth decay when I was 21. By the time I was 25, some of my teeth were missing. By the time I was 29, I had to have most of my teeth pulled and I was told it could have made a difference if I had had preventative care at a younger age.”
Previously, Maine was one of only 10 states to offer emergency dental care through Medicaid.
The amendment, sponsored by Democratic House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, who grew up in Biddeford without access to a dentist, received bipartisan support.
According to Williams, MaineCare has improved its reimbursement rates to encourage dentists to participate.
“It’s also more exciting for me to treat more complicated patients with needs that are a little bit harder to meet but a little bit more rewarding,” she said.
Chase volunteered with Maine Equal Justice to lobby lawmakers to expand coverage.
Chase said, “I think unemployment is high among people with dental problems because it not only affects your looks but your health as well. I mean, there were times when I woke up with tooth decay that would have hurt the floor.”
While expanding dental coverage comes with a cost, the legislature that approved it expects the state will save $17 million per year that it paid through MaineCare for avoidable emergency dental care.
Williams said: “She said, ‘Oral care is health care. Oral health is a crucial component of your overall health.”
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