A significant number of children in Maine are not receiving adequate dental care, particularly those covered by MaineCare, the state’s Medicaid program. According to Kalie Hess, associate director of the Children’s Oral Health Network of Maine (COHN), while 60% of children on private health plans receive standard dental care, only 20% of children on MaineCare have access to similar services. To address this disparity, COHN has been working diligently to improve access to dental care for more children across the state.
Emilie Knight, program development director of Maine Dental Connection, leads efforts to bridge the gap by coordinating resources, dental professionals, schools, and childcare centers throughout Maine. Knight explained that several factors contribute to the issue, starting with a significant shortage of dental providers. Only 25% of dentists accept MaineCare, creating challenges for families seeking care. Even those with insurance face long wait times and limited appointment availability.
Another barrier, Knight noted, is the logistical challenge for families to attend dental appointments. Parents may struggle with time off from work, transportation, and the difficulty of rescheduling when their child falls ill. To alleviate these challenges, Maine Dental Connection brings dental care directly to communities. Hygienists like Ali Oberg and dental coordinator Jackie Davidson often work in unconventional spaces, such as hallways or empty conference rooms, to provide care where it’s most needed.
Their goal is not only to provide dental services but to change children’s perceptions of dental visits. By offering fun elements like colorful sunglasses, bubblegum toothpaste, and a warm smile, they help make the experience less intimidating. “By the second visit, many children remember us and are excited to jump in the chair,” Oberg shared.
Maine Dental Connection focuses on young children, from birth through pre-K, ensuring they receive routine dental care twice a year. For many of these children, this is often their first visit to a dentist. The program also ensures that patients are connected to a local dentist for ongoing care once they age out of the program.
The mobile nature of the service is appreciated by families, as it provides care they otherwise may not have access to. Angie Nightingale, a Home Start coordinator with Kennebec Valley Community Action Partners, noted, “I’ve had families personally thank me for the care they could not get without these clinics.”
Currently operating in nine counties, Maine Dental Connection continues to grow its reach, with COHN planning further expansion in the coming years to help more children across the state access the dental care they need.
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