How can I find lower cost dental care?
This list provides a listing of community
programs that provide dental services for residents of Snohomish County at reduced or low cost or Medicaid coverage. This
list is updated every 3-4 months.
How do I find a dentist that will accept Medicaid coverage for my children?
Call 425.339.5230 to talk with one of our staff about private dentists that accept Medicaid Coverage for children from birth to
age 18. A list of all providers is not available due to the frequent changes that occur in availability. Our program will provide
you with choices in available dental care that are close to your home. Dental appointments are available similar to those with
private coverage, from 2-3 weeks for a new patient appointment. We have some limited dental specialist care for children needing
general anesthesia, orthodontics and oral surgery (wisdom teeth). Availability varies significantly.
The Snohomish Health District links children 0-5 years old to private dentists that have attended special training in working
with infants and toddlers and accept Medicaid coverage.
( Access to Baby and Child Dentistry/ABCD )
First dental visits DO begin with the first birthday.
Get the most from your Medicaid coverage?
"Rights and Responsibilities for Dental Patients" Guide for People getting services
from Washington State Medical Assistance, a guide about medical services, programs, the medical identification card, and who
to contact for help English Cambodian Chinese Korean Laotian Russian Spanish Vietnamese.
How do I find a dentist that accepts Medicaid coverage for me or another adult?
We maintain a small list of private dentists and denturists updated quarterly that accept Medicaid coverage for basic dental
services and some emergency care. Root canal treatment, crowns, bridges and specialist care especially for oral surgery or
periodontics is not currently available.
How do I access a dentist if I have an emergency?
A dental emergency is one where the face is swollen, a fever is present, and there is dental pain. Increasing swelling and fever
are signs of a condition needing prompt attention.
Permanent teeth that have been knocked out can be replaced most successfully if put back in place quickly, especially within two
hours are also an emergent condition. Call your dentist to determine how soon you need to be seen.
If you do not have a dentist:
Monday through Friday - Use the walk-in clinic at a community health center. Non-emergent conditions may or may not be treated
depending upon time and staffing available.
Click here for a listing of Community Health
Centers in Snohomish County Snohomish County Dental Resources
After hours, visit a hospital emergency room.
How do I find a dentist that works with people with disabilities? Quick Referral
locates dental resources for persons with dental needs and physical, mental, medical, or other disabilities and is
operated by the DECODE program
of the University of Washington.
People with disabilities frequently have serious dental problems and have difficulty accessing dental services. Dental Education
in Care of Persons with Disabilities (DECOD) at the University of Washington is a special program of the School of Dentistry that
treats persons with severe disabilities and prepares dental professionals to meet their special oral health needs in addition to
resources available in the community.
To address this difficulty, the University of Washington DECODE program has designed the above website. Its purpose is to provide
you with dental professionals throughout the State of Washington who have chosen to list their pertinent information. Information
obtained from this website can assist you in finding an appropriate clinician to meet your needs in your own community.
The DECOD Program provides more than 3,500 dental visits per year to persons with disabilities. It is a major resource for Washington
citizens who are most severely disabled and financially disadvantaged. This segment of the population cannot obtain dental services
in other community settings.
The patients served by DECOD span all age groups. Approximately 70 percent have severe developmental disabilities (mental retardation,
cerebral palsy, autism); the remaining 30 percent have extensive acquired disabilities (e.g. spinal cord and traumatic brain injury,
multiple sclerosis, psychiatric disorders). The majority of patients are on Medical Assistance. DECOD includes several special clinics:
pediatric, for children with disabilities
rehabilitation for those in vocational training and independent living program
geriatric, for elderly with disabilities
a mobile dental service, for residents of long-term care facilities and the homebound
For persons with disabilities and medically compromised individuals regular dental care is vital to health and function. Dental
neglect can have serious consequences, including increased costs and risks associated with hospitalization, and needless pain and suffering.
I have dental insurance, how do I find a dentist that accepts my coverage?
Call your insurance carrier, or visit their website for a list of providers that accept their coverage. Managed care plans will
have a list of clinic sites you can visit.
How do I obtain dental insurance?
Medicaid coverage for medical or medical/dental coverage is available at no cost for some adults and children with low family income.
Dental coverage is not available without medical coverage too.
Ask your employer about dental benefits. The great majority of dental insurance plans are only available through employers.
Ask an insurance company about available plans. Be sure to read the policies carefully. Individual plans are more expensive
and cover fewer services than employer purchased plans.
How do I find a specialist?
Do you need a specialist? Most
dental care is done by general dentists. Your family dentist may decide that a dental treatment is too hard for him to do and your dentist
will refer you to a specialist. Dentists maintain good relationships with the specialists in their communities and usually will provide
you with the names and phone numbers of dentists that provide care. The general dentist may even call the specialist and set up an
appointment for you. There are some specialists that will accept Medicaid coverage IF the referral comes directly from a dentist in their
community.
Do you prefer a specialist?
Some specialty care you may choose from the phone book rather than as a recommendation from your dentist. Pedodontists and orthodontists
are frequently called directly. Although general dentists are very good with children, some dentists are not comfortable with children
at all. Most of the dental specialists are not accepting Medicaid coverage.(2007)
All specialists have had additional education and training in very specific diagnosis and treatments that are not included in general
dentist training. Specialty care may be faster and more comfortable, depending upon the problem being treated. Specialty care does cost
more than general dentistry.
Look in the phone book for dental specialists:
Pediatric dentist - care of children
Oral Surgeons - extractions and other dental surgery
Endodontists - root canal treatment
Orthodontists - straightening teeth
Periodontists - treatment of gum diseases
If you have Medicaid coverage, specialty care in Snohomish County is very, very limited. The specialists that accept self-referral
in Snohomish County include:
Pediatric dentist - None, in Snohomish County
Oral Surgeons - One - limited to four or more tooth extractions only
Endodontists - None, in Snohomish County
Orthodontists - Three - limited to serious/extreme conditions only
If you are willing to travel outside of Snohomish County, there is some specialty care available in King or Skagit County by pediatric
dentists, oral surgeons, endodontists or orthodontics that accept Medicaid coverage. Call King County (1.800. 756.5437) or Skagit
County (360.336.9477)
How do I get the most from my Medicaid coverage?
"Rights and Responsibilities for Dental Patients"
Guide for People getting services from
Washington State Medical Assistance a guide about medical services, programs, the medical
identification card, and who to contact for help English Cambodian Chinese Korean Laotian Russian Spanish Vietnamese
