4.6 Referral to a Dentist

A medical provider should refer a child to a dentist immediately if

• The medical provider observes non-cavitated white spot lesions or cavitated lesions.
• The child is at moderate or high risk for dental caries, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists’ Caries Risk Assessment Tool.
• A dental emergency is evident.

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Office of Oral Health, has developed a referral form, which EPSDT medical providers can provide to parents to take to their child’s dental appointment.

The ultimate goal of making a referral to a dentist is to establish a dental home for children at moderate or high risk for dental caries. A dental home is the ongoing relationship between the dentist and the patient, inclusive of all aspects of oral health delivered in a comprehensive, continuously accessible, coordinated, and family-centered way.6

Sometimes it may be difficult to locate a local dental practice, clinic, or federally qualified health center that accepts children enrolled in Medicaid. In situations where it is difficult or impossible for EPSDT medical providers to identify a dentist, parents should be referred to DentaQuest, the contractual agent under the Maryland Medicaid Program, which will help parents locate and access a dentist.

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