The reimbursement rates do not cover overhead costs for many dentists and actually costs the dentist money to take on a Medicaid member as a comprehensive patient, one dentist told the news outlet.
The lack of dentists accepting Medicaid patients has forced more people to visit the hospital for dental emergencies, leading to large emergency room bills for patients and the state.
Dental Medicaid reimbursement rates have been stagnant in Iowa for the past 20 years, causing difficulties for both dentists and patients, according to the Iowa Dental Association.
The dental assistant shortage is also a factor, as without dental assistants, practices cannot add dentists to expand patient bases, the report said.
