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NNOHA is the largest group of safety-net oral health practitioners in the country, and our members all share a commitment to increasing access to quality oral health care for underserved populations. NNOHA is committed to providing the highest quality resources and support designed to meet the unique needs of our members and their programs.
Friday, March 28, 2025
“When Medicaid dental benefits are cut, people head to the emergency room, and, when the average dental visit is $200 compared to $1000 for a visit in the emergency room, this is not cost savings.” This is one of the statistics I shared with my son when he asked what I would say to our elected officials about Medicaid.
His surprised reply: “Whoa! That’s five of my regular appointments, Mom—that’s two-and-a-half years of seeing Dr. Sean [his pediatric dentist]!”
My 12-year-old gets it; let’s hope our elected officials do, too.
Whether it’s at home with a math-loving, socially conscious preteen, with legislators or concerned patients, or through scenario planning at work, conversations about Medicaid are nearly unavoidable for NNOHA members and those of us working in the healthcare safety net at the moment. As our federal and local leaders seek to balance budgets in ways that could reduce allocations to Medicaid, many of us are looking for a lot more than hope to preserve a benefit that has long been critical for our patients’ health and the sustainability of the dental programs in which we work and care for those patients.
Click below to continue reading.
NNOHA President's Letter on Medicaid
