Children in Washington state are required to have dental insurance

By Dr. Princy Rekhi, Edmonds

Did you know that as of January 1st kids in Washington state are required to have a dental insurance plan? As a parent it can be hard to keep up with all the changes coming our way as part of health care reform. Oral health is an important part of your child’s overall health, and it is important to see a dentist regularly to stay healthy. That is one reason dental coverage for children was included as a required benefit under the Affordable Care Act.

For kids, it means routine check-ups, x-rays, cleanings, fillings and more will be covered by their dental plan. Regular visits to the dentist along with simple things like brushing your child’s teeth two minutes, two times a day can help prevent problems before they are painful or more costly.

There are several ways for parents to make sure their child has dental coverage; through an employer provided dental plan, through purchasing a pediatric dental plan on Washington’s Healthplanfinder also known as the exchange; through the individual or small business market (ie: through an insurance broker); or families who qualify may get coverage through Apple Health for Kids.

To help parents find a dentist to see their child, the Washington State Dental Association has established the “Dental Referral Program for Children” (DRC). Parents can call 1-877-239-1011 or visit the website to be given the name of several dentists to choose from that participate in your dental plan.

As a dentist that treats children I see firsthand how dental disease can impact kids, it can be hard to talk, eat and even learn. In Washington, 58 percent of third graders have experienced a cavity. The good news is that oral disease is nearly 100 percent preventable no matter your age. By helping kids establish good habits now, including regular check-ups with their dentist, we can help ensure every Washington child is cavity free.