Over the past four years, Kansas has made historic progress in improving dental care for adults covered by Medicaid. These investments are changing lives, strengthening communities, and rebuilding a dental provider network that has been shrinking for years. 

Here’s what the Kansas Legislature has already accomplished: 

• 2022: $3.5 million invested to establish restorative dental care for adults 

• 2023: $1.2 million added to cover dentures 

• 2024: $4.8 million invested in preventive dental care for adults 

• 2025: $10 million allocated for a dental rate increase to strengthen the provider network 

Because of these investments, children and adults with Medicaid now have nearly comprehensive dental coverage. That is a huge milestone for Kansas. 

But coverage only matters if people can actually find a dentist. 

That’s where the final step comes in. 

Kansas still needs to finish the Medicaid dental rate increase to ensure reimbursement rates are competitive with: 

• Commercial dental insurance 

• Neighboring states’ Medicaid programs 

Right now, Kansas Medicaid dental rates are significantly lower than those in states like Colorado and Missouri — in some cases nearly half as much. These low rates make it difficult for dental practices, especially small businesses, to participate in Medicaid. 

The cost to finish the rate increase? $12 million in State General Funds. 

This final investment would make it easier for dental offices across Kansas to say “yes” to Medicaid patients — expanding access to care in both rural and urban communities. 

Kansas has already done the hard work of building coverage. Now we must ensure the provider network is strong enough to deliver that care. If you are interested in helping advocate for increased Medicaid dental coverage or improving the Dental Medicaid network, here is how you can help. If you are a consumer, ask your dentist in your community about becoming a Medicaid provider. Here you can find the Consumer Toolkit for Recruiting Dentists to help you have that conversation.  If you are a provider, visit the Oral Health Kansas’ Medicaid Dental Rates page to learn about how you can get involved. When community members, providers, and advocates speak up together, it makes a difference.