Eliminating Medicaid Dental Coverage Led to Increased Dental ED Visits

In 2009, California eliminated Medicaid coverage for comprehensive dental care. Researchers reviewed state emergency department (ED) databases from 2006 to 2011 to assess the effect of this policy change on ED visits with a primary diagnosis of dental disease.

The number of dental ED visits per 100,000 adult Medicaid enrollees increased 32%, from 42 per month before the change to 56 per month after. A significant increase in visits occurred immediately after the policy change. During the same period, annual inflation-adjusted costs for dental ED visits increased 68%.