Wednesday the Maryland General Assembly Senate Finance Committee heard testimony from oral health advocates during its hearing on a bill that would force the state to fund dental care in Medicaid.
Supporters of Senate Bill 284 say the legislation is a critical step in improving the oral health of adults in Maryland. They also say the financial obstacles to obtain dental care put residents at risk of untreated pain and serious health issues.
The cost of emergency room visits for Maryland for dental pain is around $24 million.
The federal Medicaid match available to support the proposed dental benefit would be around $20
