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Improved Access to Dental Care in Florida

  • Over six million Floridians live in a Dental Care Health Professional Shortage Area.

  • Only 42% of Florida’s Medicaid eligible children received any oral health care in 2018.

  • In Florida, people older than 65-years who are also eligible for Medicaid (dual eligible) do not receive any dental benefits beyond extractions, pain management and some dentures. 

What Can Florida Do?

Florida Voices for Health is working with our partners statewide to make these policy recommendations a reality in Florida:

Include a Comprehensive Adult Dental Benefit in Medicaid

Currently, adults with Medicaid in Florida are only covered for pain relief in an emergency. Providing enrollees comprehensive dental benefits can improve access to preventative care and reduce unnecessary and costly ER use.

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Authorize Dental Therapists

Dental therapists are highly-trained oral health practitioners that provide education and preventive services as well as common dental procedures, such as filling cavities. Authorizing dental therapists in Florida would improve access to care, especially to people living in underserved areas.

Learn More

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Get Involved! 

The Florida Oral Health Alliance is a community of individuals and organizations committed to improving Florida's dental care system because every person deserves to thrive.

The Alliance has three ares of work:

  • Policy Advocacy – Passing state and local legislation that increases access to dental care for vulnerable populations. 

  • Community Outreach and Education – Empowering Floridians to successfully navigate the health care system by developing educational tools and campaigns.

  •  Provider Outreach and Partnerships – To improve the delivery of care to vulnerable populations (ex: Floridians with disabilities), FOHA is partnering with providers and other stakeholders to share best practices.

The coalition meets bi-monthly to discuss updates and coordinate future activities.

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Florida's Oral Health Stories

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