North Dakota Medicaid Dental Coverage

Updated August 2026

Children enrolled in North Dakota Medicaid receive comprehensive dental care through the federal EPSDT (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment) mandate, which applies to all children under age 21 in any Medicaid program. This includes preventive care, restorative services, and treatment for conditions identified during screening.

Excluded for Expansion adults; varies by pathway

Adult dental coverage

Full EPSDT

Children's dental coverage (under 21)

Fee-for-service

Delivery model

Expansion adults (19–64 at 138% FPL) do not get dental or vision through North Dakota Medicaid

North Dakota HHS explicitly excludes dental and vision coverage for the adult Medicaid Expansion group. Adults who qualify through other pathways — disability, parent/caretaker status — may have dental benefits. Children in any coverage group receive comprehensive dental under EPSDT. Call 1-800-755-2604 to confirm what your specific coverage group includes.

Dental coverage for children in North Dakota Medicaid

Oral exams and cleanings
X-rays and diagnostic services
Fluoride treatments and sealants
Fillings and restorations
Extractions
Emergency dental treatment
Orthodontia when medically necessary
Well-child dental visits per the Health Tracks schedule

Dental coverage for adults in North Dakota Medicaid

Adult dental coverage in North Dakota Medicaid depends on how you qualify. Adults who enrolled through the Medicaid Expansion group (138% FPL) do not receive dental or vision benefits — ND HHS states this explicitly. Adults who qualify through the aged, blind, and disabled pathway or the parent/caretaker pathway may have some dental coverage.

North Dakota Medicaid provides adult dental on a fee-for-service basis for covered groups. Adult dental generally includes emergency extractions and limited restorative services. It is not a comprehensive benefit comparable to children's EPSDT coverage.

Expansion adults seeking dental care should look into Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). FQHCs are federally funded community health centers required to serve patients regardless of ability to pay, using a sliding-fee scale. North Dakota has FQHC sites in Bismarck, Grand Forks, Fargo, and other communities.

Finding a Medicaid dental provider in North Dakota

North Dakota uses a fee-for-service model — there is no assigned dental plan. Members choose any dentist enrolled in North Dakota Medicaid. The ND Medicaid provider directory is available through the HHS provider search tool at hhs.nd.gov.

Rural access is a persistent challenge. Many dentists in smaller North Dakota communities do not accept Medicaid. If you cannot find a local Medicaid dentist, contact ND HHS at 1-800-755-2604 for assistance locating a provider or accessing transportation benefits for covered dental visits.