Low rates of oral health care access have serious implications for the oral and overall health of low-income children and their families. Of low income children, less than half of these children receive any dental service in a given year. They face barriers to access such as: inadequate provider participation in Medicaid; transportation; literacy and cultural barriers between families and providers; and families’ low awareness of Medicaid dental benefits and preventive oral health care guidelines. Prompted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Oral Health Initiative, state Medicaid agencies have been making efforts to improve the oral health of child beneficiaries. A critical component of their progress has been collaboration – both among stakeholders within a given state and across states. During this Oral Health America webinar, presenters will share examples of state strategies for improving oral health care access, highlighting specific collaborative efforts by the
