Healthcare
Dental Care
Children and adults with disabilities and/or special health care needs need dental treatment the same as everyone else. They not only require routine dental care, but often need additional attention. Their treatments may be affected by their physical, emotional, developmental, cognitive, or sensory disabilities.
Dental Care and Disabilities
Providing Oral Care for People with Developmental Disabilities
Dental Care Every Day: A Caregiver’s Guide
Dental Care for the Patient with Down Syndrome
Dental Tool Kit from Autism Speaks
Drs of Smiles Program from the Grottoes of North America
Dental Care for Children with Special Needs Fact Sheet (en espanol)
Toothbrushing Tips for Your Child with a Disability
Sugerencias para el uso del cepillo dental para su niño con discapacidad
Finding a Dentist in Georgia
Georgia Medicaid provides comprehensive dental services for children under the age of 21, but the services for adults are significantly different.
For children under 21, dentistry is a mandatory service, provided as a part of Early and Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT). The services include regular check ups as part of preventive care. Check ups should be done at intervals that are the reasonable standard of dental practice, and also when there is a need, such as when the child is in pain or has an infection. The services cannot be limited to emergency care only, but must include restoration of teeth and maintenance of dental health.
For adults, Georgia Medicaid covers only emergency dental care. Dental care is not mandatory and there are no minimum requirements for adult dental coverage.
Trying to find a dental provider that accepts Medicaid can be a challenge. Less than 1 in 3 dentists in Georgia accept Medicaid.
More information about Medicaid and Dental Care
Search for a Georgia Medicaid Provider in your area.
Resources for Healthy Oral Care
- How to Deal with a Bad Gag Reflex
- Mouth Healthy Kids – Resources to help build good oral health habits.
- Community Water Fluoridation
Downloadable Resources for Healthy Oral Care
- All About Cavities
- Anesthesia and Pediatric Dentistry
- Dental Fears Checklist
- FAQs – The Center for Pediatric Dentistry
- Handle Me with Care – Patient Form
- Oral Health Cleft Palate Fact Sheet
- Oral Motor Feeding Therapy Resources
- Pediatric Dental Hygiene
- Soda or Pop – It’s Teeth Trouble by Any Name
- Wisdom Teeth Surgery and My Child with Autism
Sources of Funding
Although Medicaid will only cover limited dental procedures in Georgia, adults with developmental disabilities may be able to receive dental care funding through the NOW/COMP waiver or family support funding. Contact your support coordinator or your DBHDD Regional Field Office for more information.