Yes, AHCCCS covers wisdom teeth removal for children under the age of 21 as long as the procedure is medically necessary.
And here at The Kids’ Dental Office of Phoenix, we accept payment through AHCCCS!
If your child needs their wisdom teeth removed, call us at (602) 903-4894 or click the button below to contact us and schedule an appointment.
What is AHCCCS?
AHCCCS is a program run by the state of Arizona that is supported by federal Medicaid funding. The purpose of AHCCCS is to provide Arizona residents of limited income and resources access to healthcare services, including dental services, for their children through the age of 20.
Who is Eligible for AHCCCS?
For your child to qualify for AHCCCS dental coverage, the following must apply:
- The child needs to be a resident of Arizona.
- The child must be a citizen of the United States or a qualified immigrant (Children of non-citizens and not-qualified immigrants may still qualify for dental emergency services under AHCCCS).
- The child must have a Social Security Number or have applied for one.
- The child must be below the income limits set for the AHCCCS program.
AHCCCS Pays for Medically Necessary Wisdom Tooth Removal
Fortunately, for children aged 20 and younger, AHCCCS completely covers the cost of most dental treatments, including at least some wisdom teeth extraction. The nature of wisdom tooth problems often makes it medically necessary to remove those teeth.
How Can Wisdom Tooth Removal Be Medically Necessary?
If a wisdom tooth does not have enough room to erupt properly, it can cause trouble in different ways. Three common problems associated with wisdom teeth are:
- Impaction: when a tooth does not erupt but remains trapped within the jaw.
- Partial eruption: when a wisdom tooth does not have room to grow fully out of the gums.
- Tooth overcrowding: space that can damage both the wisdom teeth and surrounding teeth.
An impacted wisdom tooth can end up at an odd angle, like pointing toward the back of the mouth or growing at a perpendicular angle compared to the other teeth. As you may imagine, an impacted wisdom tooth can cause considerable pain. It can also contribute to other problems that can affect your child’s dental and overall health.
When is Wisdom Tooth Extraction Needed?
Wisdom tooth extraction is a form of oral surgery. Your dentist will consider wisdom tooth extraction as a treatment if an impacted wisdom tooth is causing your child pain. AHCCCS usually covers dental work for children who require soft-tissue-impacted wisdom teeth removal.
According to the American Dental Association, wisdom tooth removal is advisable when any of the following happens:
- Your child feels pain in or near any of the wisdom teeth
- Your child is experiencing soft tissue infections behind the last tooth in the lower left tooth
- Cysts or tumors form in the mouth
- Your child is suffering from extensive tooth decay, gum disease, or other tooth damage
- Complications with braces treatment
Some dentists might recommend removing wisdom teeth as a preventive measure to avoid trouble with them later on. This should be considered carefully, as AHCCS may not consider this reason medically necessary and may not cover the cost.
Once your child reaches age 21, AHCCCS only pays for emergency dental services.
Talk with an AHCCCS Dentist in Phoenix About Wisdom Tooth Removal
Not all wisdom tooth issues will rise to the level of dental emergencies, but if you need an emergency dentist who accepts AHCCCS in the Phoenix area, call us at The Kids’ Dental Office of Phoenix.
Call us at (602) 903-4894 to speak with an emergency dentist, learn about AHCCCS insurance coverage, or schedule an appointment at our Phoenix office. Although we are pediatric dentists and orthodontists, we also provide dental care for your entire family.
You can also contact us online if you prefer.
With the availability of AHCCCS Medicaid dental insurance, no child patient must suffer because of the inability to pay for routine or emergency dental care. Call us today to speak with one of our Phoenix emergency dentists about your child’s oral health needs.
