NEWS RELEASE
Albert
Hawkins
Executive Commissioner
Date: March 5, 2008
Contact: Stephanie Goodman, 512-424-6951
New Initiatives to Improve Dental Care for Children in Medicaid
AUSTIN ― A trio of new state initiatives will improve dental care for children with Medicaid coverage by funding more comprehensive dental checkups, deploying a mobile unit in three Valley counties, and training pediatricians to apply fluoride varnish to children’s teeth during regular health checkups.
“The Texas Medicaid program covers one out of every three children in Texas, and we’re looking for innovative ways to help their families make full use of Medicaid to keep those children healthy,” said Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Albert Hawkins. “These new initiatives will help us get children into comprehensive dental care at a young age to prevent more serious problems later.”
The projects are the first to be approved for funding from $150 million set aside by the 2007 Texas Legislature for initiatives to make it easier for children with Medicaid coverage to get medical and dental services. The new funding is part of the Legislature’s
$1.8 billion plan to increase Medicaid rates and the availability of services in response to the Frew v. Hawkins lawsuit over utilization of preventive services in children’s Medicaid.
The projects include:
- $23 million for fiscal years 2008-2009 to encourage comprehensive dental care for the youngest Medicaid recipients. In March, the state will begin providing specialized training to Medicaid dentists on the special needs of children under the age of 3. The state also will add a new billing code for dental exams for children under 3 to encourage more comprehensive care, including fluoride varnish for children and counseling and education for parents.
- $4.2 million for fiscal years 2008-2009 for a mobile dental unit to serve Duval, Starr and Zapata counties. The unit, which will begin providing services this fall, will be operated by the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Dental School. It will be equipped to provide oral exams, X-rays, cleanings, fluoride treatments and other services. The project also helps support a full-time residency training program at the Laredo Health Department to expand the availability of dental care in the area. Children who receive services from the mobile dental unit will be referred to the Laredo Health Department for ongoing dental care.
- $860,000 in fiscal years 2008-2009 to train and reimburse Medicaid pediatricians to perform limited oral evaluations and apply fluoride varnish to children as young as 6 months old. The training, which will begin in August, will encourage pediatricians to refer young patients to a Medicaid dentist for ongoing dental care.
The projects were reviewed by a 17-member advisory committee that includes health experts and advocates from across the state. The funding was approved by the Governor’s Office and the Legislative Budget Board.
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