Keeping Up with Medicaid Changes in States: A Guide for Child Oral Health Advocates

Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) are the two publicly financed health insurance programs that provide dental benefits for children from low- and modest-income families.  Medicaid requires dental coverage under its pediatric “EPSDT” benefit while SCHIP deems dental care optional. Recent Congressional changes have moved Medicaid closer to SCHIP by allowing states greater flexibility in program design and by making it easier for states to change their Medicaid programs.