Kentucky Medicaid Dental Coverage

Updated August 2026

Children enrolled in Kentucky Medicaid or KCHIP receive comprehensive dental under the federal EPSDT mandate. All medically necessary dental services must be covered for members under 21. Pediatric dental is coordinated through MCO networks; check with your MCO if you need to find an in-network pediatric dentist.

Comprehensive

Adult dental coverage

5

Medicaid MCOs

Under 21

Full EPSDT dental coverage

Kentucky's adult dental benefit is broader than in many neighboring states

Kentucky Medicaid covers adult dental through the managed care organizations. Each MCO administers dental benefits, and some use DentaQuest or Avesis as dental benefit administrators. The adult dental benefit generally includes preventive care and basic restorations — confirm your specific covered services with your MCO's member services line.

Children's dental (under 21) — full EPSDT

Oral exams and cleanings (twice per year)
Dental X-rays
Fluoride treatments and preventive sealants
Fillings and restorations
Extractions
Root canal treatment
Space maintainers
Crowns when medically necessary
Orthodontic treatment when medically necessary
Emergency dental care

Adult dental coverage under Kentucky Medicaid

Adult dental coverage in Kentucky Medicaid is delivered through the five MCOs. Some plans use DentaQuest or Avesis as their dental benefit administrators. Kentucky's adult dental benefit is more comprehensive than in many neighboring states and generally includes:

Preventive care — oral exams, cleanings, X-rays, fluoride treatments
Restorations — fillings and crowns for decayed teeth
Extractions including simple and surgical extractions
Root canal treatment
Emergency dental treatment for pain or infection
Periodontic treatment — scaling and root planing for qualifying diagnoses
Prosthetic services — partial or full dentures, and dental implants when medically necessary, with prior authorization

How to find a Kentucky Medicaid dental provider

Kentucky Medicaid expanded adult dental benefits effective January 1, 2023, adding coverage for crowns, root canals, and dental implants when medically necessary — a significant expansion beyond the older emergency-and-extractions model. Most orthodontics for adults and purely cosmetic procedures are still generally not covered. Implants and other major services require prior authorization before treatment begins — your dentist will initiate the request on your behalf.

Use your MCO's member portal or call member services to search for participating dentists in your area. You can also search the Kentucky Medicaid provider directory and filter by dental services.

Kentucky has federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) across the state that provide dental care to Medicaid members and offer sliding-scale fees for uninsured patients. FQHCs are particularly valuable in eastern Kentucky, where dental provider shortages are acute.