While Medicaid dental coverage for children is relatively consistent across the 50 states, dental benefits for Medicaid-enrolled adults vary significantly from state to state. As a result of the recent economic recession, many states have moved to limit Medicaid expenditures for dental care. As of 2012, 22 states, including Oklahoma, either offer no adult dental benefit with Medicaid or limit coverage to dental emergency and trauma–related care.

The report helps to understand the impact of Medicaid dental benefits and availability of providers on utilization of dental services.