Greater dental access reduces inequities & boosts sealant use among HUSKY-insured kids

Changes to Connecticut’s Medicaid program (HUSKY) in 2008 provided a unique opportunity to examine the impact of new policies on the oral health outcomes of low-income children. Higher Medicaid reimbursement rates, streamlined provider enrollment procedures for participating dentists, as well as outreach to communities, individuals and dentists helped expand access to dental services and remedy Connecticut’s most common and treatable chronic childhood disease—tooth decay. (author introduction)