Arkansas Medicaid Dental Coverage
Updated August 2026
All Arkansas Medicaid members under 21 receive comprehensive dental coverage under EPSDT. Per the federal Social Security Act (Section 1905(r)), states must provide all medically necessary dental services to members in this age group. ARKids First (both A and B tiers) includes full dental coverage.
$500/year (traditional Medicaid)
Adult dental coverage
Full EPSDT
Children's dental coverage (under 21)
Fee-for-service (DHS/DMS)
Traditional Medicaid dental administrator
Dental coverage differs between ARHOME and traditional Arkansas Medicaid — check which program covers you
Arkansas Medicaid covers dental for all members under 21 under the federal EPSDT mandate. For adults: ARHOME members receive dental through their private plan, which must include dental as part of the plan's benefit package. Traditional Medicaid adults have more limited dental coverage: as of November 1, 2024, Arkansas ended its Medicaid managed care dental program (previously run by Delta Dental of Arkansas and MCNA) and moved dental benefits back to the Medicaid fee-for-service (FFS) program, managed directly by the DHS Division of Medical Services. Adult FFS dental is capped at $500 per year.
Dental coverage for children under 21 — EPSDT
- Preventive exams and cleanings at scheduled intervals
- Dental X-rays (bitewing and panoramic)
- Fluoride treatments and pit-and-fissure sealants
- Tooth-colored and amalgam fillings
- Extractions (simple and surgical)
- Root canal therapy on permanent teeth
- Crowns and stainless-steel crowns for primary teeth
- Space maintainers following early tooth loss
- Orthodontic treatment when medically necessary
- Emergency dental care for pain, infection, or injury
Adult dental — ARHOME members
ARHOME members receive dental coverage through their private health plan (Arkansas BlueCross BlueShield, Arkansas Health & Wellness, or QualChoice). Each plan's dental benefit may differ slightly. Per the ARHOME contract requirements with the state, plans are required to include dental as a covered benefit — check your specific plan's evidence of coverage for the exact list of covered services and any waiting periods.
To access dental care as an ARHOME member, look up in-network dentists through your plan's provider directory on its member portal (ar.gov/arhome), or call your plan's member services number on the back of your ID card.
Adult dental — traditional Medicaid fee-for-service
Traditional Arkansas Medicaid adults (pregnant women, seniors, people with disabilities not enrolled in ARHOME) receive dental benefits through the Medicaid fee-for-service (FFS) program. Arkansas DHS ended its managed care dental program — previously administered by Delta Dental of Arkansas and Managed Care of North America (MCNA) — effective November 1, 2024, and now pays dental claims directly. You use your regular Medicaid ID card at the dentist; Delta Dental and MCNA cards are no longer used.
| Coverage status | Services |
|---|---|
| Generally covered | Oral evaluations and X-rays; topical fluoride and sealants; crowns; extractions; orthodontic care such as braces; dental services in a long-term care setting |
| Not covered for adults | Services beyond the $500 annual limit (except where medically necessary and pre-authorized); cosmetic dental work; services outside Medicaid's covered benefit list |
Generally covered
- Services
- Oral evaluations and X-rays; topical fluoride and sealants; crowns; extractions; orthodontic care such as braces; dental services in a long-term care setting
Not covered for adults
- Services
- Services beyond the $500 annual limit (except where medically necessary and pre-authorized); cosmetic dental work; services outside Medicaid's covered benefit list
Per DHS, adult dental services under FFS are capped at $500 per year. You are only responsible for paying out of pocket if your services exceed $500 or are not covered by Medicaid. Unused benefit dollars do not roll over into the next year. Children have no dollar limit on medically necessary dental services, though ARKids-B has a $10 copay.
The Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care (AFMC) supports the dental program on behalf of DHS. Prior authorization is required for many adult dental services — confirm before treatment.
Finding a dentist in Arkansas Medicaid
For ARHOME members, use your plan's provider directory. For traditional Medicaid members, all dentists who previously participated in Delta Dental or MCNA are Medicaid-enrolled FFS providers — call ahead to confirm they still accept Medicaid patients. Call the ConnectCare help line at 1-800-275-1131 (TDD 1-800-285-1131) for help finding a dentist or to confirm dental eligibility, or search online at humanservices.arkansas.gov/u/dentist. If you cannot locate a participating dentist, contact your local FQHC — Arkansas has FQHCs in Little Rock, Fort Smith, Pine Bluff, and several rural communities. All FQHCs are required to serve Medicaid patients.
If you exhaust your $500 annual adult dental benefit and need additional care, Dental Lifeline Network (dentallifeline.org/arkansas, 501-993-8245) provides dental services through volunteer dentists for qualifying individuals.
Arkansas Medicaid (Arkansas Works)
- ConnectCare help line (dentist lookup, eligibility): 1-800-275-1131 (TDD 1-800-285-1131)
- Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care (AFMC) dental program: 1-888-987-1200
- ARHOME member portal: ar.gov/arhome
- HRSA Health Center Finder (FQHC dental): findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov
Related guides
Dental Coverage
What's covered for kids versus adults, and how it varies by state.
Read more →What Medicaid Covers
The services every state must cover, plus benefits that vary by state.
Read more →Find a Provider
How to find a Medicaid doctor near you through your state's provider directory.
Read more →