Medicaid: Extent of Dental Disease in Children Has Not Decreased

In recent years, concerns have been raised about the adequacy of dental care for low-income children. Attention to this subject became more acute due to the case of Deamonte Driver, a 12-year-old boy who died as a result of an infected tooth that led to a fatal brain infection. Deamonte had health coverage through Medicaid, including dental care, for millions of low-income children. Deamonte had extensive dental disease and his family was unable to find a dentist to treat him. A report...
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In recent years, concerns have been raised about the adequacy of dental care for low-income children. Attention to this subject became more acute due to the case of Deamonte Driver, a 12-year-old boy who died as a result of an infected tooth that led to a fatal brain infection. Deamonte had health coverage through Medicaid, including dental care, for millions of low-income children. Deamonte had extensive dental disease and his family was unable to find a dentist to treat him. A report was issued that examined the extent to which children in Medicaid experience dental disease, the extent to which they receive dental care, and how these conditions have changed over time. This testimony summarizes this report. Illustrations.