USA - Few dentists in Florida willing to deal with Medicaid

Few dentists in Florida willing to deal with Medicaid
BY FRANK GLUCK • fgluck@news-press.com • March 1, 2010
Jamie Siebert of Fort Myers regularly makes three-hour round trips to Sarasota so her daughter can see an orthodontist who will accept her Medicaid.
Jasena Dawson's children have not seen a dentist in five years because the working mother has not been able to schedule an appointment with a Medicaid-accepting dentist.
The stories point to a problem many say has been festering for years: Florida children, especially those on Medicaid, are finding it increasingly difficult to get their dental health needs met.
A new study by the Pew Center on the States recently gave Florida a failing grade for children's access to dentists.
"I could only find one doctor," said Dawson, whose 4-year-old daughter is on Medicaid and other three children are covered by a state program. "I was told they couldn't come back after they missed an appointment."
Dawson, who works as a legal assistant in Fort Myers, said she cannot afford the $1,100 monthly premiums for private insurance.
She said her children have developed a number of cavities and one had a dangerous tooth abscess that later had to be treated at a hospital.............

"Florida exceeds treatment targets in only two of eight areas: the percentage of residents receiving fluoridated water (77.7 percent) and the fact dentists are reimbursed for preventative care.":NYSCOF