Utah Medicaid Dental Coverage

Updated August 2026

As of 2025, Utah Medicaid covers dental care for all adult members age 21 and older — a major expansion from the emergency-only benefit the state previously offered. The change came through a Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). An estimated 120,000 adult Utahns enrolled in Medicaid gained access to dental services as a result.

Covered for all adults

Adult dental coverage

Full EPSDT

Children's dental coverage (under 21)

1-866-608-9422

Utah Medicaid dental help line

Utah Medicaid now covers dental care for all adults 21 and older

Through a federal 1115 demonstration waiver approved in 2025, Utah expanded Medicaid dental coverage to all adult members, not just limited eligibility groups. Dental care is free for Medicaid members, with no co-pay for covered services. At a minimum, adults get regular checkups, cleanings, fillings, and pain/infection relief. Children under 21 continue to receive comprehensive dental under EPSDT. Call 1-866-608-9422 for help finding a dentist or with questions about your benefits.

Adult dental coverage under Utah Medicaid

Much of the new adult benefit is delivered through a partnership between Utah Medicaid and the University of Utah School of Dentistry (UUSOD), which administers and provides care through a network of more than 300 dentists statewide, including school clinics, rural clinics, and a mobile clinic van that serves underserved areas. At a minimum, Medicaid covers the services below for adults; the expanded benefit can also include additional services such as X-rays, root canals, extractions, dentures, and crowns depending on medical necessity.

  • Regular check-ups and cleanings (every six months)
  • Fillings
  • Pain and infection relief
  • X-rays, root canals, extractions, dentures, and crowns when medically necessary

Children's dental coverage — comprehensive under EPSDT

Members under age 21 enrolled in Utah Medicaid receive comprehensive dental benefits under the federal EPSDT mandate (42 U.S.C. § 1396d(r)). EPSDT requires all medically necessary dental services for children. Per Utah DHHS, covered services for members under 21 include the items below. Call 1-866-608-9422 to confirm prior authorization requirements or to find a participating dentist.

  • Oral examinations and cleanings
  • Preventive X-rays and fluoride treatments
  • Dental sealants for cavity prevention
  • Fillings and restorative treatment
  • Extractions — simple and surgical
  • Root canal therapy for primary and permanent teeth
  • Space maintainers
  • Orthodontics when medically necessary for functional correction
  • Emergency dental services

Finding a Utah Medicaid dentist

Utah Medicaid members can view the Medicaid Dental Provider List at medicaid.utah.gov, search InsureKidsNow.gov by zip code, or call a Health Program Representative (HPR) at 1-866-608-9422 for help finding a dentist. Much of the adult dental benefit is delivered through the University of Utah School of Dentistry (UUSOD) provider network.

  • View the Medicaid Dental Provider List at medicaid.utah.gov
  • Search by zip code at InsureKidsNow.gov
  • Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) throughout Utah accept Medicaid and provide dental services — find one at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov
  • Call 1-866-608-9422 for assistance finding a participating dentist in your county

Utah's rural counties — particularly in southern Utah and the Uintah Basin — have significant dental provider shortages. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) serve rural Medicaid populations statewide. The Utah Association of Community Health Centers at utahachc.org maintains a listing of health center locations statewide.

Dental coverage for seniors and dual-eligible members

Utah Medicaid members who are also enrolled in Medicare (dual-eligible beneficiaries) now have access to the same expanded adult dental benefit as other Utah Medicaid adults, since coverage applies to all adults 21 and older regardless of Medicare enrollment. Standard Medicare Part A and B still do not cover routine dental on their own. Dual-eligible members who want to understand how their Medicare and Medicaid dental coverage work together can contact the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at 1-877-424-4640 or the Utah Insurance Department at insurance.utah.gov for free counseling on plan options.

Utah Medicaid

  • Utah Medicaid dental coverage and plans: medicaid.utah.gov/dental-coverage-and-plans
  • Utah Medicaid dental help line (HPR): 1-866-608-9422
  • HRSA Health Center Finder (FQHC dental): findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov
  • Utah SHIP (Medicare counseling): 1-877-424-4640
Visit the official Utah Medicaid website

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