Anyone under 21 on Medicaid has their dental services covered. If you are over 21 there are different levels of coverage in: Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Caroline, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming provide care primarily in emergency situations. Some cover emergency dental surgery, others only cover basic critical care.

In California, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Washington people on Medicaid can access more extended dental services.

Each state listed above has some specific restrictions, like visits in a year, or they may have a copay, but they generally offer preventative care, like checkups and cleanings. Some states exclude emergency care, arguing dental emergencies should not occur with routine maintenance. Check with your social worker to determine details of dental coverage in your state. They can get you a list of approved providers willing to take Medicaid as coverage. Some dentists limit the number of Medicaid patients they treat due to the low reimbursement levels.