Oral Health Knowledge, Barriers to Dental Care, and Awareness of a Medicaid Pregnancy Dental Coverage Among Reproductive-Age Women

In this study of women at an urban health center in Virginia, pregnant women in Virginia covered through Medicaid were less likely to be aware of and use their dental benefit than women who had private dental insurance. A third of the women did not know the pregnancy dental benefit existed.

What next?

• Policy: Ensure policy changes, such as insurance benefit updates, are widely disseminated among members
• Clinical: Educate patients about the benefits available through their insurance provider.
• Community: Incorporate oral health education opportunities into prenatal programs.