How Medicaid Cuts Would Hurt Oral Health in Kansas

In Kansas, the ability to see a dentist is not just about scheduling an appointment. It is about whether you have coverage, whether there is a provider near you, and whether you even know help is available.

Only 64 percent of Kansans have dental insurance, leaving nearly 1 million people without coverage. Many live in counties where there are no Medicaid dental providers at all. Nearly 40 percent of Kansas counties fall into this category. Even in areas with providers, only 30 percent of dentists bill Medicaid.

This limited access has real consequences. Fewer than 40 percent of children enrolled in KanCare have seen a dentist. Adults often wait until dental pain becomes unbearable, turning preventable issues into chronic health problems that affect everything from nutrition to employment to overall health. 

At Heartland Community Health Center, we see these challenges firsthand, and we are working to bridge the gap.

In 2024, our dental team provided care to 9,801 unique patients across 21,919 encounters. That includes 1,404 emergency dental services, 614 surgeries, and 4,007 restorative procedures. We also placed 2,278 dental sealants to help prevent future cavities and decay.

Through our Healthy Futures program, we brought comprehensive dental care directly to 3,238 children in 102 Kansas schools. Many of those students would otherwise have no access to routine dental services.

This work is more than just checkups and cleanings. It is a lifeline for families who would otherwise fall through the cracks.

Why Medicaid Matters
Medicaid is one of the few systems ensuring dental access for low-income Kansans, particularly children, people with disabilities, and older adults. When funding is cut, those most in need are the first to feel the impact.

Cuts to Medicaid would:

• Shrink an already limited provider network

• Reduce preventive care, leading to more costly emergencies

• Leave more families choosing between rent, food, and dental treatment, according to the National Association of Community Health Centers

• Worsen health disparities among communities of color, rural residents, and people living in poverty, as detailed by the Health Resources and Services Administration

Dental care is health care. When Medicaid is cut, Kansans do not just lose cleanings. They lose protection against infections, chronic pain, and complications that can affect their hearts, lungs, and overall quality of life.

We Must Protect Access
Our team will continue to show up in clinic and in schools ,but we cannot do it alone. Protecting Medicaid means protecting oral health. It means giving children a healthier start and helping adults avoid preventable suffering.

Protect Medicaid in Kansas:
1️⃣ Call your state legislators. Share your story.
2️⃣ Spread the word about limited dental access.
3️⃣ Support local health centers