Medicaid and CHIP

• Medicaid and CHIP are federally funded health care programs that serve low-income families and children who meet income eligibility guidelines determined by their state of residence. Benefits vary by state, but the federal government has a list of mandatory Medicaid and CHIP coverage benefits that includes comprehensive dental health care for children under age 21 enrolled in either program. No mandatory coverage requirement exists for adults enrolled in Medicaid, though most U.S. states provide emergency dental services at a minimum. Just under half of U.S. states provide comprehensive dental benefits to its adult Medicaid enrollees, acording to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services,.
  
  

State Dental Assistance Programs

• Though most states promote dental coverage to low-income residents through the Medicaid or CHIP programs, many also feature state dental help programs for low-income families and individuals who do not qualify for benefits through federal health programs. For example, Oklahoma operates part-time dental health clinics to serve those who demonstrate financial need, and the state also promotes locally based charities, such as the Delta Dental of Oklahoma Oral Health Foundation. This foundation operates annual gatherings of dental professionals to provide free care to low-income state residents.
  
  

Charities

• In addition to state and local charities, numerous national charities promote oral health for all Americans. The National Children's Oral Health Foundation works with locally based dental office affiliates and other non-profit organizations to provide low-income children with affordable, low-cost or free dental care. Similarly, Oral Health America operates the Smiles Across America program, which provides dental care to elementary-age children who qualify for free or reduced-cost school lunches through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's school lunch program.
  
  

Considerations

• Families ineligible for federal, state or charitable assistance may find help through dental discount card programs or in-office discounts. Dental discount programs are for-profit businesses that typically charge an annual or monthly membership fee in exchange for oral health discounts from participating providers. On the other hand, some patients may be able to forgo a discount program altogether by asking local dentists for in-office discounts. If a discount is not available, dentists may work with financially needy patients to provide a payment plan in which patients may remit regular installment payments until their debts are paid in full.