How is a Medicaid dentist different from a regular dentist?

Finding a great dentist can be like searching for the proverbial needle in the haystack. All too often, it takes months of trial and error to find a dentist you can fully trust, one who treats patients with courtesy and care. Unfortunately, trying to find a Medicaid dentist you love can be even more difficult.

Let’s face it: When it comes to dentists, many of us settle for whoever gets the job done whenever we face a dental problem. We get treatment over with, then shop around in hopes of finding someone who is more competent, nicer to the kids, less crowded for appointments, or simply closer to where we live or work. And if you or your child is a Medicaid recipient, you suddenly have to deal with finding a dentist who accepts your dental plan on top of all the other considerations.

The bad news is that, if you’re a Medicaid subscriber, your choice of dentists is more limited because not every practice will accept your insurance. The good news is that, as a Medicaid beneficiary, you can (and should!) expect the same quality of dental care as everyone else!

A Medicaid dentist IS a regular dentist

The only thing that differentiates a Medicaid dentist from a “regular” dentist is the fact that he or she accepts Medicaid. With all other things considered equal and aside from the minor variations you’d find among any dentist offices, we’re talking about the same qualifications, the same requirements to meet dental licensing standards, and the same technology used in-office. One could even argue that Medicaid dentists are more trustworthy – after all, their practices must withstand the probing eyes of the state to pass the complicated application process and maintain Medicaid licensing.

That said, there are a few things you should consider when choosing any dentist, of course – Medicaid/CHIP or otherwise

Choosing a (Medicaid) dentist

Whereas basic medical qualifications are, of course, standardized for dentists just like they are for doctors, the same can’t be said for other areas of a dentist’s practice and this is where most patients become dissatisfied. Sure, pretty much any dentist can fill a cavity, but that’s not always enough to make us want to return.

So go ahead, enter a Google search for “Medicaid dentist Houston” and see what pops up. Then look a littler closer and whittle things down according to the following considerations:

Convenience

You want a Medicaid dentist near you, of course – no use looking for a dentist way across town, is there? Also, look for a dentist who offers extended evening and weekend hours – after all, dental emergencies rarely stick to a convenient 9-to-5 timetable. Dental offices with more than one location are convenient, too, especially if one is close to home, and another close to work. Also, having general dentists and specialists (like oral surgeons and pediatric dentists, for example) under one roof is a huge advantage so you won’t have to run all around town to meet the specific needs of everyone in the family.

Interpersonal skills

This one’s a toughie. How can you tell whether the dentist is a nice guy without actually making an appointment and possibly wasting your time? Pick up the phone! The voice on the other end of the line will speak volumes, indeed, and you’ll know right away if you’ve arrived at a friendly, courteous place, or a rude and uncaring one. Customer service and communication philosophies carry over from dentists to staff, and you’ll be able to tell a lot from the way you’re greeted on the phone. Like what you hear? You might have a winner on your hands.

Treatment options

Look for a dentist who offers options. If you’re missing a couple of teeth, for example, a good dentist will explain all your options – not just the most expensive ones! Also ask about available sedation options for major procedures…you’ll be glad you did if a root canal or tooth extraction becomes necessary.

Experience

There’s a lot to be said for a dentist office that has been in business for years, versus weeks or months. Clearly, an “old-timer” like that has a solid base of patients who must be quite happy with the services rendered there. And if the office accepts Medicaid to boot, you may just have found that needle in the haystack. After all, handling Medicaid claims can be quite complicated, and an established practice with Medicaid claims processing experience can prevent a lot of headaches for you in the long run.