Missouri Adult Medicaid Beneficiaries Seek Free, Low-Cost Dental Services After State Cuts Benefits

After Medicaid coverage for adult dental services in Missouri ended July 1 because of "tough economic times," beneficiaries are seeking ways to obtain such treatment, the Kansas City Star reports. Adults have been obtaining dental treatment from dentists who donate their services to the poor or dental clinics that use sliding fees. In addition, some nursing home residents with Medicaid coverage are receiving dental services through a new system modeled after one in Kansas. Under the system, nursing homes establish personal monthly funds for residents, setting aside $30 out of their monthly incomes. The funds then can be used for dental insurance, supplemental medical insurance or some other expenses. The funds are permitted through a federal law approved in 1988 that allows nursing home residents to set aside part of the incomes for health services not covered by Medicaid. At the Maywood Terrace Living Center in Independence, Missouri, residents receive treatment from Mobile Dentistry Inc. that is paid for out of those funds. Carla Lungren, administrator of the Maywood center, said, "Some of our residents have better dental care now than they did before they began living here" (Kavanaugh, Kansas City Star, 7/5).