Colorado’s Oral Health Safety Net: Looking to the Future

A new survey by the Colorado Health Institute (CHI) finds that the state’s oral health safety net is struggling to meet higher patient demand with current funding sources.

The findings are examined in a new report, “Without a Net: Understanding the Impact of Medicaid Expansion on Colorado’s Oral Health Safety Net.”

Colorado expanded Medicaid to more low-income residents in 2014 and also began providing dental benefits to adult enrollees. These policies were an important step toward improved oral health. Today, about one of five Coloradans has a Medicaid dental benefit. 

But with more Medicaid patients than ever before, the strength and resilience of Colorado’s oral health safety net is being tested. 

CHI’s four primary findings:

• Medicaid expansion sparked a growth in demand for dental services.
• Safety net organizations are reaching capacity with the increased demand for services.
• Medicaid reimbursement is good, but not enough to sustain safety net organizations.
• Innovation models of oral health care offer promise for meeting patient demand in an environment of increased coverage and financial limitations.

Oral health safety net organizations want to serve more patients, improve quality and be financially sustainable. Yet Medicaid reimbursement, patient fees and grant funding is currently not enough to support these plans.

CHI examines new ways to meet the needs of organizations and patients, as well as next steps for oral health. Policies have paved the path to improving oral health in Colorado. But findings suggest that providers, advocates and policymakers have more work to do to support the oral health safety net and ensure access to all who need care.

The report was developed in partnership with Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation, Caring for Colorado Foundation, and The Colorado Health Foundation.

Need More Information?
Contact senior communications expert Joe Hanel at hanelj@coloradohealthinstitute.org.