Florida Medicaid dental coverage
Last verified: June 2026
Florida Medicaid covers emergency dental only for adults 21 and older
What Florida Medicaid covers for adult teeth — and what it doesn't
Florida limits adult Medicaid dental to services that relieve pain or treat acute infection. The philosophy is treatment, not prevention. That distinction matters in practice: if you need a filling on an asymptomatic cavity, Florida Medicaid will not cover it. Once the cavity progresses to an abscess or causes acute pain, an extraction may be covered.
Services generally covered for adults under Florida Medicaid dental:
- Emergency extractions — when a tooth is causing acute pain or infection
- Incision and drainage of dental abscesses
- Emergency exam required to determine the need for emergency treatment
- Oral surgery related to acute medical conditions (e.g., pre-surgery clearance)
Services not covered for adults through Florida Medicaid:
| Service | Covered for adults? |
|---|---|
| Routine cleanings and preventive care | No |
| Fillings and restorations | No |
| Crowns and bridges | No |
| Dentures and partial dentures | No |
| Root canals | No |
| Orthodontics | No |
Which dental plans administer Florida Medicaid dental?
Florida delivers Medicaid dental through managed dental care organizations (DCOs) under the SMMC Dental Program. Two plans hold the primary contracts under SMMC 3.0 (effective February 2025), per AHCA:
DentaQuest
One of the two dental managed care organizations operating in Florida under the SMMC program. DentaQuest contracts with dentists statewide to provide covered services to Florida Medicaid enrollees.
MCNA Dental
Managed Care of North America Dental is the second dental plan in the SMMC program. Enrollees are assigned to one of these two plans or may choose during the enrollment period. The plan available to you depends on your region.
To find a Medicaid dentist in your plan's network, log in to your plan's member portal or call the plan directly. Provider availability varies widely by county — rural counties have fewer participating dentists than urban areas like Miami-Dade and Broward.
Children under 21 get comprehensive dental — the EPSDT standard
Federal law requires comprehensive dental for all Medicaid enrollees under age 21 through the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) mandate. Florida must cover all dental services that are medically necessary for children, regardless of whether those services appear in Florida's standard dental benefit list.
Children's dental coverage under Florida Medicaid includes:
- Routine preventive cleanings and exams (typically twice per year)
- Dental X-rays
- Fluoride treatments and dental sealants
- Fillings and restorations
- Extractions when necessary
- Emergency dental treatment
- Orthodontics when medically necessary
- Oral surgery related to medical necessity
- Dental screenings as part of the Child Health Check-up program (CHCUP)
The Child Health Check-up program (CHCUP) provides scheduled preventive visits including dental screenings at recommended intervals — similar to the well-child check schedule. Per AHCA, parents of enrolled children should request CHCUP visits at appropriate ages to ensure full benefits are utilized.
FQHCs offer dental to uninsured adults at sliding-scale fees
Adult vs child dental coverage in Florida Medicaid
| Dental service | Adults 21+ (Florida) | Children under 21 (EPSDT) |
|---|---|---|
| Preventive cleanings | Not covered | Covered |
| Dental exam (routine) | Not covered | Covered (CHCUP) |
| X-rays | Not covered | Covered |
| Fillings / restorations | Not covered | Covered |
| Extractions | Covered (emergency) | Covered |
| Root canals | Not covered (most) | Covered |
| Dentures / prosthetics | Not covered | Covered as medically necessary |
| Orthodontics | Not covered | Covered if medically necessary |
| Abscess I&D (emergency) | Covered | Covered |
Verify coverage with your assigned dental plan (DentaQuest or MCNA Dental) before scheduling treatment. Some procedures require prior authorization.
Finding a Florida Medicaid dentist
Florida Medicaid dental services are delivered through two contracted dental MCOs: DentaQuest and MCNA Dental. Your assigned plan depends on your region and managed care enrollment. To find a participating dentist:
- › DentaQuest: dentaquest.com/fl-medicaid or call 1-800-516-0165
- › MCNA Dental: mcna.com or call 1-877-846-2262
Adults without Medicaid dental: FQHCs offer low-cost care