RD401 - Annual Report on "Smiles for Children" - Improving Dental Care Across Virginia -- December 2010


Executive Summary:
Smiles For Children (SFC) was created in 2005 as the result of the support of the provider community, managed care organizations, the Governor, the General Assembly, and DMAS leadership. As a result of this collaboration, SFC was created and modeled after commercial insurance with a single payer and a significantly expanded network.

Since the program’s inception in 2005, SFC has continued to increase utilization and has expanded both the pediatric and general dentist network statewide. Specialty provider access has increased significantly as well. Dental utilization continues to increase. SFC has been identified as a model for other states seeking to improve their Medicaid dental programs.

This report highlights key accomplishments for SFY 2010. These include:

• Increased provider participation with 1,439 dental providers participating versus 620 in 2005;
• Utilization of dental services among children ages 3-20 has increased from 29% in 2005 to 51%;
• Expanded provider recruitment, outreach, and collaboration;
• Expanded focus on dental disease prevention;
• Improved quality management;
• Focused program integrity oversight; and,
• Recognition by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that Virginia is a top performing state with respect to its Medicaid dental program.