Nevada Medicaid Dental Coverage
Updated August 2026
Under EPSDT (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment), all Medicaid members under age 21 are entitled to comprehensive dental coverage. The EPSDT mandate comes from Section 1905(r) of the Social Security Act — states cannot limit dental services for this age group to emergency care only. Coverage includes preventive care, restorative treatment, and orthodontia when medically necessary.
Expanded July 2026 (preventive, diagnostic, restorative)
Adult dental coverage
Full EPSDT
Children's dental coverage (under 21)
LIBERTY Dental Plan
Dental benefits administrator
Nevada Medicaid expanded adult dental benefits effective July 1, 2026
Nevada Medicaid covers dental services for both adults and children. For members under 21, the federal EPSDT mandate requires comprehensive dental care. Effective July 1, 2026, Nevada Medicaid expanded adult dental benefits for more than 374,500 members to include preventive and diagnostic services — moving Nevada beyond the emergency-only adult dental coverage it was previously known for, one of the most restrictive in the nation. Dental benefits for Nevada Medicaid and Nevada Check Up members are administered statewide by LIBERTY Dental Plan, not through the medical managed care plans. Call LIBERTY Dental Plan Member Services at 1-866-609-0418 with questions about your dental benefit.
Dental coverage for children under 21
- Routine dental exams and cleanings (at regular intervals)
- Dental X-rays
- Preventive treatments: fluoride varnish, sealants on permanent molars
- Fillings and restorations (amalgam and composite)
- Tooth extractions
- Root canals on permanent teeth when clinically indicated
- Crowns when a tooth cannot be restored with a filling
- Dentures for eligible younger members
- Orthodontia when medically necessary (not cosmetic)
- Emergency dental care for pain or infection
Adult dental coverage (age 21 and older)
Nevada expanded its adult Medicaid dental benefit effective July 1, 2026. Before this expansion, adult coverage in Nevada was limited mainly to emergency extractions and a small set of essential services — among the most restrictive adult dental benefits in the country. The expansion adds preventive, diagnostic, periodontal, and restorative services for adults for the first time.
| Covered with a $1,000 annual limit | Covered with no annual dollar limit (medically necessary) |
|---|---|
| Two 6-month oral exams per year | Emergency and pain treatment |
| Two cleanings per year | Partial and full dentures |
| One 3-year comprehensive exam | Expanded benefits for pregnant members |
| Silver diamine fluoride treatment | Dental care and prior-authorized orthodontics for members age 20 and younger |
| Gum (periodontal) treatment | Services through Indian Health Service/Tribal programs |
| Fillings and crowns | — |
Two 6-month oral exams per year
- Covered with no annual dollar limit (medically necessary)
- Emergency and pain treatment
Two cleanings per year
- Covered with no annual dollar limit (medically necessary)
- Partial and full dentures
One 3-year comprehensive exam
- Covered with no annual dollar limit (medically necessary)
- Expanded benefits for pregnant members
Silver diamine fluoride treatment
- Covered with no annual dollar limit (medically necessary)
- Dental care and prior-authorized orthodontics for members age 20 and younger
Gum (periodontal) treatment
- Covered with no annual dollar limit (medically necessary)
- Services through Indian Health Service/Tribal programs
Fillings and crowns
- Covered with no annual dollar limit (medically necessary)
- —
Some adult benefits carry a $1,000 annual limit that resets each January 1. Other benefits have no annual dollar limit but must be deemed medically necessary by your dentist.
What is still not covered for adults
Even with the 2026 expansion, cosmetic dental procedures remain excluded from the adult benefit. Services that exceed the $1,000 annual limit are not covered unless they fall into one of the no-limit, medically necessary categories above. Check your specific benefit details in the LIBERTY Dental Plan member handbook or by calling member services.
Finding a Nevada Medicaid dentist
Nevada ranks among the worst states for Medicaid dental provider availability, particularly in rural counties and in southern Nevada outside of the Las Vegas metro. DHCFP has cited network adequacy concerns in legislative reports. Many dentists in Nevada do not accept Medicaid, which can make access difficult even when a service is covered. To support the 2026 adult dental expansion, LIBERTY Dental Plan expanded its provider network support offices in Las Vegas and Reno and added new provider groups to its network in both areas.
To find a participating dentist, use the LIBERTY Dental Plan online provider directory or call member services at 1-866-609-0418. If you cannot find a dentist within a reasonable distance, contact DHCFP about network adequacy.
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) receive federal funding that requires them to accept all patients including Medicaid and uninsured individuals. Nevada has FQHCs in Las Vegas, Reno, Henderson, and several rural communities. They provide dental, medical, and behavioral health services.
Nevada Medicaid
- LIBERTY Dental Plan member services: 1-866-609-0418
- LIBERTY Dental Plan provider line: 1-888-700-0643
- HRSA Health Center Finder (FQHC dental): findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov
- HRSA phone: 1-877-464-4772
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 →