Minnesota Medicaid Dental Coverage
Updated August 2026
Children enrolled in Medical Assistance receive comprehensive dental care under the federal EPSDT (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment) mandate. EPSDT requires states to cover any medically necessary dental service for Medicaid members under age 21, regardless of whether that service appears in the standard adult benefit.
Comprehensive
Adult dental coverage
Full EPSDT
Children's dental coverage (under 21)
Delta Dental of Minnesota
Dental benefit administrator (adults)
Minnesota MA covers comprehensive adult dental — one of the broadest state Medicaid dental benefits in the US
Many states provide only emergency dental to adult Medicaid members. Minnesota Medical Assistance covers a significantly broader range of adult dental services, including preventive cleanings, fillings, root canals on some teeth, dentures, and periodontic treatment. Verify your specific covered services with your MA health plan or Delta Dental of Minnesota.
Dental for children (under 21) — full EPSDT coverage
- Oral exams and periodic cleanings
- Dental X-rays
- Fluoride treatments and preventive sealants
- Fillings (amalgam and composite)
- Extractions
- Root canal treatment
- Space maintainers for premature tooth loss
- Crowns and other restorations when medically necessary
- Orthodontic treatment when medically necessary
- Sedation or general anesthesia when medically required
Adult dental coverage under Medical Assistance
Minnesota provides one of the most comprehensive adult dental benefits among Medicaid programs nationally. Dental benefits for adults 21 and older are administered through Delta Dental of Minnesota under contract with DHS. Services are delivered through Delta Dental's participating provider network.
- Preventive care — oral exams, cleanings, X-rays, fluoride treatments
- Restorative care — fillings for decayed teeth
- Endodontic treatment — root canals on anterior (front) teeth
- Periodontic treatment — scaling and root planing for gum disease
- Oral surgery — extractions including impacted wisdom teeth
- Prosthodontics — full and partial dentures; denture repairs
- Emergency dental services
Some services require prior authorization from Delta Dental of Minnesota before treatment. Major restorative work, periodontic treatment, and prosthodontics commonly require pre-approval. Your dentist will submit the prior authorization request on your behalf.
What MA dental does not cover for adults
Not everything is covered. Cosmetic procedures, teeth whitening, veneers, implants, and orthodontics for adults are generally excluded. Crowns for adults require prior authorization and are typically limited to situations where a filling would be insufficient. Annual benefit limits may apply for some services.
If you need a service that is not covered, a community health center (federally qualified health center) may offer sliding-scale dental care regardless of your coverage status. Use the HRSA Health Center Finder at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov to locate one near you.
How to find a dental provider that accepts Medical Assistance
Adult MA dental is processed through Delta Dental of Minnesota. To find a participating dentist, use the provider directory at deltadentalmn.org and select "Medicaid/Public Program." Not all dentists who accept private Delta Dental plans also accept Medical Assistance — you need to search specifically for Medicaid-participating providers.
Children's dental care may be handled through your child's MA health plan rather than Delta Dental. Check with your plan's member services to confirm whether your child's dentist is in-network.
Medical Assistance (Minnesota Medicaid)
- Delta Dental of Minnesota provider directory: deltadentalmn.org
- 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 →