Conn. makes strides in kids' access to oral care

The number of dentists in Connecticut participating in Medicaid has increased from 150 in 2008 to 1,359, according to a summary report released today by the Connecticut State Dental Association (CSDA).

Children's access to care has also increased substantially, the CSDA found. Prior to the program's inception, 88,891 children were treated; that figure had increased to nearly 172,000 children by the end of 2010. No child has to wait more than 24 hours for an emergency care visit, and wait times for routine visits average 12 days, according to the CSDA.

The report describes the status of participation and utilization in the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership (CDHP), a carve-out of the dental aspect of HUSKY, the state's public health coverage program. Utilization has increased to more than 57% since the carve-out in 2008. The summary also provides an account of the progress made since the General Assembly drafted a new Medicaid system for the delivery of children's dental health services in 2008.

The release of the summary was part of Dental Day at the state capitol, where dentists met with legislators to discuss the importance of access to dental care.