Kan. Medicaid program needs more dentists

More than 28,000 Kansans who receive healthcare through the state's Medicaid program, KanCare, live in counties where no dentists are part of the provider network.

Using data provided in February by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Kansas Dental Project (KDP) found that 37 Kansas counties lack KanCare dentists and that, on average, there are 1,117 KanCare beneficiaries for each KanCare dentist. That's about half of a typical patient load for a dental practice with one dentist, the group said.

KanCare includes preventive-only dental benefits for adults, but children are eligible for comprehensive dental benefits.

The existing dental workforce can't meet the needs of the KanCare population, according to dental project spokeswoman Suzanne Wikle. Adding midlevel providers (MLPs) would help alleviate the shortage, she said.

The KDP has proposed legislation to allow registered dental practitioners (RDPs) to work in Kansas. HB 2157 and SB 197 are designed to increase access to dental care for all Kansans, including those insured by KanCare.

RDPs are MLPs who would work in dental practices, health clinics, and community settings such as nursing homes and schools. Under the proposed legislation, they would work under the general supervision of a dentist and would increase access to care in communities without any providers. They would also create jobs and grow the economy, according to Wikle.