January 30, 2014 — South Carolina health officials and dental providers are hopeful that state lawmakers will reinstate dental Medicaid coverage for low-income adults, saying the move will save emergency room (ER) costs and help people with painful oral infections who have nowhere else to turn.
The state General Assembly is considering a recent proposal by Gov. Nikki Haley to restore adult dental Medicaid for some 270,000 low-income people. The $35 million proposal wouldn’t necessarily save money, but healthcare officials said it’s good public policy, similar to vaccinations provided by the state.