Missouri Expands Dental Access as Medicaid Cuts Loom

When Missouri voters approved an amendment to expand Medicaid across the state in 2020, more than 200,000 Missourians became eligible for healthcare coverage. The federal government covered approximately 90% of this cost. At the same time, Missouri added adult dental care benefits to its Medicaid coverage. Previously, patients covered by Medicaid could only seek dental care in the event of an emergency. Reimbursement rates were also raised, and more dentists began to accept patients covered by Medicaid.

The MO HealthNet program provides limited dental coverage, excluding such expensive treatments as crowns, root canals, or dentures; however, preventive care is covered. Over the past 5 years, more Missourians have received professional dental care, improving the health of many vulnerable residents.

Recently, another milestone was reached when Aaron Bumann, DDS, and colleagues opened a dental surgery center in Independence that serves only patients covered by Medicaid who require sedation in order to undergo dental care. Independence Surgery Center is not a dental home but rather a stand-alone surgery center that takes referrals from other dental providers. The new center will fulfill a need for vulnerable populations who need support undergoing dental care, such as children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

However, all of the news is not positive. The “One Big Beautiful Bill” passed by President Trump in 2025 is set to cut state funding for Medicaid drastically in 2027. Missouri may lose $11 to $18 billion in funding over the next 10 years, possibly causing the state to cut benefits. The bill also imposes additional requirements on beneficiaries, including an 80-hour-per-month work or volunteer commitment and coverage renewal every 6 months rather than annually. Click here to read more.