Medicaid is paying for more dental care. GOP cuts threaten to reverse the trend.

February 27, 2026

TL;DR

Several states have expanded Medicaid dental coverage to include low-income adults, recognizing its link to overall health.
Despite expansions, fewer than 1 in 4 adults on Medicaid see a dentist annually, with barriers like limited dentist participation and low reimbursement rates.
Proposed federal budget cuts could force states to reduce or eliminate dental benefits, potentially reversing recent progress.
Poor dental health is linked to other significant health problems, including heart disease and diabetes, and impacts quality of life.
Dentist participation in Medicaid remains stable but many limit the number of patients they see, and some do not accept new Medicaid patients.
Reimbursement rates are a key deterrent for dentists accepting Medicaid patients.

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