TDMR received this story from Dr. Hector Alvarez in Eagle Pass earlier this month.
We found it informative and inspiring in his and his family’s dedication to helping the underserved and needy in his county. It speaks to the quality of individuals who become Medicaid dental providers.
It is why Texas needs to help dental providers.
I recently came across the November Hearing on Medicaid price/reimbursement rates, and just this past TDA convention, I spoke to Dr. Atarod about this particular point.
I am a dentist and work in Eagle Pass, Texas, in my own private practice, which I started in 2002. I graduated from Marquette University School of Dentistry in 1999, moved back to my hometown of Eagle Pass and immediately began to work at United Medical Centers ( FQHC). I was under the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program.
As you are well aware, Maverick County is ranked among the top, if not the top, when it comes down to underserved areas and Health Professional Shortage Areas.
I am living proof of everything that has been said about the lack of providers, the lack of adequate reimbursement, and the needs of communities along the Rio Grande River.
But I have not shied away from my profession or much less my community. As a matter of fact, I have mentored my children throughout their lives about my profession, and they, too, have witnessed the difficulties in filling the health gap in Maverick County. Since 1999, we really haven’t seen a new dentist come to our area.
After setting up my own practice, I joined United Medical Center’s board of Directors, and part of our mission was to bring resources and providers to serve in our area. Well, because of our geographical area, our success was limited.
I decided to take matters into my own hands by “recruiting” my own children to serve our community. I am blessed to say that my daughter graduated from Dental Hygiene School almost 2 years ago and is working here with me and my son graduated from dental school 1 year ago and has followed in my footsteps of community health dentistry by working as a dentist at UMC. I could have easily recruited him for my practice, but my experience and knowing the needs of my community far superseded any other option.
The situation in our area has become critical and it has gotten worse.
On a brighter note, another great blessing has just arrived now that my youngest daughter has been accepted to dental school. She plans on also returning to give back to her hometown.
This proves we are not giving up on Medicaid and our community, but for many years it seems Medicaid may have given up on us.
Thank you.
Dr. Hector Alvarez
Dentist/Owner, Eagle Pass Dental Clinic
Dr. Alvarez.
Congratulations for sharing your history with everyone. We are at the same position as you. We are not giving up on providing care to our community , and specially to our kids under Medicaid programs, even though “it seems TX Medicaid may have given up on us.”.
Medicaid and Legislators in Texas must improve the dental fees as soon as possible. It’s critical for them to act quickly to increase reimbursement rates and to ensure that dentists are fairly compensated for the care they provide. Any service provider relationship between two parties – Medicaid and Dentists – could be fair enough if one party take full advantage of the other in detrimental of both sides. It erodes the agreement’s integrity between Medicaid and Dental Providers and fails to uphold the values we learned from our parents and teachers of justice and equity.
The current decision of Medicaid confirmed on Nov 12, 2024 to do not approve a fair increment to dental fees after more than 16 years without any increase CANNOT be accepted by the law and in the eyes of our Lord.
Cordially,
Dentist – Director and Team