The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) helps eligible low-income families cover medical expenses, including routine dental care for children under 21. It also provides emergency medical and dental services for eligible children.
The Kids’ Dental Office of Phoenix accepts AHCCCS insurance as payment for emergency dental work. However, you may be wondering, “What is an emergency dental service compared to an ordinary dental service?” Here, we cover how AHCCCS defines an emergency dental service and provide some examples of these emergency services.
What is AHCCCS?
The AHCCCS program is a federal Medicaid program for healthcare services administered by the state of Arizona through insurance companies. U.S. citizens and qualified immigrants who meet eligibility requirements can receive AHCCCS coverage and will be assigned to an insurance company to act as your “dental home.” However, even if an office is assigned, you can choose to go a different office who accepts your AHCCCS plan.
How Does AHCCCS Define a Dental Emergency?
The official AHCCCS definition of a dental emergency is “an acute disorder of oral health resulting in severe pain and/or infection as a result of pathology or trauma.”
According to this definition, a dental emergency is not a long-term issue like tooth misalignment or minor pain from a cavity. An issue only qualifies as an emergency if it seriously threatens your child’s health or could cause major impairment if left untreated.
What Are Some Examples of Dental Emergencies Under AHCCCS?
You may not know what a dental emergency is on your own. When in doubt, we recommend you call us at (602) 903-4894 so we can help. Some clear examples of dental issues that qualify as emergencies include:
- Teeth that have been knocked out of their sockets
- Broken, chipped, or cracked teeth from an accident
- Severe toothaches causing a fever or swelling
- Abscesses on the gums
- Injuries to the inner cheek or tongue from severe accidental bites or trauma
- Being unable to open the mouth after an accident
- Facial swellings
These are not the only examples of dental emergencies. Again, if you are not sure, call our office, and we will help you decide whether to bring your child in for an emergency visit.
Note: a broken jaw is a dental emergency, but one that requires more than dental attention alone. If you believe your child has a broken jaw, go to the nearest emergency medical facility first.
What Are Some Examples of Emergency Dental Treatment Under AHCCCS?
Here are some of the emergency dental benefits authorized under AHCCCS:
- Emergency oral diagnostic examinations
- Radiographs, x-rays, and laboratory services (limited to the problematic teeth)
- Composite resin for tooth fractures
- Ready-made crowns to ease pain from a recent broken tooth
- Direct or indirect pulp caps plus filling
- Root canals and vital pulpotomies for infections or pain
- Urgent procedures like extractions for pain relief
- Replacing a knocked-out or moved front tooth back in place
- Temporary tooth restoration
- First treatment for serious infections, like gum or tooth abscesses
- Pre-surgery steps and anesthesia
No prior authorization is needed for emergency dental care except for oral surgery. For children under 21 covered by AHCCCS, these services are fully covered with no copay or cost limits.
AHCCCS will pay up to $1,000 to help cover these costs for adults 21 years of age and older.
Don’t Wait on a Dental Emergency. Call the Kids Dental Office of Phoenix Right Away
Putting off or skipping treatment for a child’s emergency dental needs because of cost isn’t just unnecessary—it can also cause long-term damage.
With AHCCCS, every child in Arizona has access to emergency dental care without regard to cost.
The Kids’ Dental Office of Phoenix serves all children in the Phoenix metropolitan area and Maricopa County, including those covered by AHCCCS. Our pediatric dentists provide regular and emergency dental work services to our AHCCCS patients.
Call us to schedule an emergency visit covered by AHCCCS right now at (602) 903-4894. To learn more about our dental care services under AHCCCS, you can also reach us online and we will answer your questions as soon as possible.
