Star Quinn moved to Kingsport, Tennessee, in 2023 — the same year the state began covering dental services for roughly 600,000 low-income adults enrolled in Medicaid. But when she developed a painful tooth infection, she struggled to find a dentist who would accept Medicaid and take new patients. After an emergency room visit provided only temporary relief, she ultimately paid out of pocket to have the tooth removed.
Her experience highlights a broader issue. Although many states have expanded adult dental benefits under Medicaid in recent years, access remains limited. In several states studied, fewer than 25% of adult Medicaid enrollees visit a dentist annually.
At the same time, federal spending reductions under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act are projected to cut more than $900 billion from Medicaid over the next decade. States may respond by scaling back optional benefits such as adult dental coverage.
While 38 states and Washington, D.C., now offer enhanced adult dental benefits, utilization remains modest, and dentist participation in Medicaid has not significantly increased. Financial constraints and reimbursement rates continue to limit provider participation.
Health experts warn that reversing dental coverage gains could worsen broader health outcomes, as oral health is closely linked to conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
