Support the SMILES Act!
(HB 1507/ SB 1640)
Florida Medicaid Needs Stronger Dental Benefits
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Oral health is essential to overall well-being, yet Florida Medicaid only covers emergency dental services for all adults 21 and older, limited to alleviating pain or infection.
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This extremely limited benefit only exacerbates the difficulties adults with IDDs face in accessing dental care.
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The lack of routine care leads to more unnecessary emergency room visits and hospitalizations. In 2024 alone, nearly $1 billion was billed in Florida emergency rooms for preventable dental conditions.
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Florida also ranks 49th nationally in Medicaid dental reimbursements, further discouraging provider participation.
How You Can Help!
Florida's leaders have the opportunity to pass legislation expanding Florida Medicaid’s adult dental benefits to include preventative, diagnostic, routine, and major dental services.
Take Action!
With one-click, contact your legislators in support of a comprehensive Medicaid adult dental benefit for Floridians with disabilities. You can email, call, or post at them and edit the message to share your thoughts!​
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Join the Florida Oral Health Alliance
The Florida Oral Health Alliance (FOHA) is a coalition of Floridians, dentists, community organizations, and more working to improve oral health in Florida. Join us to learn more about efforts to pass a comprehensive dental benefit, educate communities, and change the way providers deliver dental care.
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What Can Florida Do?
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HB 1507/ SB 1640 (The SMILES Act) would create a three-year pilot in select Florida Medicaid Regions providing a comprehensive dental benefit to Medicaid enrolled adults with IDDs including:
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Disease prevention and restoration
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Emergency treatment
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Routine diagnostic care (dental cleanings, exams and x-rays)
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Basic dental services (fillings and extractions)
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Major dental services (root canals, crowns and dentures and other dental protheses)
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The SMILES Act would also improve reimbursement rates for providers, encouraging more dentists to serve individuals with complex needs.​
Are You on Medicaid, but Can't Get Dental Care?
Share Your Story and Recieve a $20 gift card.
Florida Voices for Health is capturing the stories of Floridians to help expand Medicaid's Dental Benefit.
Participants must be:
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Enrolled in Medicaid and
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Unable to access services.
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By telling us your story, you help speak for people who may be facing issues just like yours. You have the opportunity to help change the future for millions of Floridians.
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How Does It Work?
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Fill out the form below
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Text us at 850.296.2241
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Email us at FLVOICES@healthyfla.org
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Find us on Facebook Messenger (@FLVoices4Health)
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Submit your story using the form below. After you submit your story, a member of our staff may contact you to learn more about your situation and to ensure that Florida Voices for Health understands your story in detail.
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Florida Voices for Health will match participants with opportunities to share their stories publicly. Opportunities may include: requests from the media, policymakers, and advocates; use in our online efforts; and use in our policy briefs.
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We will always ask your permission before we release any contact information or highlight your story, and you can always opt out of any opportunity.
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By submitting your story you agree to our consent and release guidelines.
