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SALT LAKE CITY — Adult members of Utah Medicaid will now have access to dental services from over 300 dentists in Utah and at various school, rural and mobile clinics.
The University of Utah School of Dentistry has partnered with Medicaid to expand eligibility for dental care, which previously included children, people over 65, pregnant women, adults who are disabled and adults being treated for substance use disorders.
The expansion is estimated to add dental care — including six-month checkups, X-rays and cleanings, fillings, dentures, root canals, crowns and emergency exams — for 120,000 adults.
"After leveraging its own resources, (the University of Utah School of Dentistry) has stepped in to bridge a gap with the collective goal of providing high-quality dental care for adults on Medicaid," said Jen Strohecker, Utah Medicaid director.
She said they are grateful for the partnership, and the school's commitment to the community.
The provider network associated with the U. was established to help people who have barriers accessing dental care and is a resource for Utah dentists, according to the statement from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services.
It said dentists enrolled in the school's provider network can get a reimbursement incentive, along with Medicaid reimbursements and free continuing education courses. Dentists interested in giving back to the community can apply for the program.
"Utah Medicaid is not your mother's Medicaid. This is different," said James Bekker, associate dean of the dental school, adding that the application process is smoother and compensations are better than before.
A list of dentists available to adults on Medicaid can be found on the health department's website.
