Age One Dental Visits: Why They Matter and How to Find Participating Dentists
Date: 10/06/26
Meridian encourages pediatric providers to help connect children to dental care providers by age 1, consistent with national recommendations.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children have their first dental visit by age 1.1 However, a recent study found that fewer than 3% of Medicaid-enrolled children received a dental visit by their first birthday.2 Meridian claims data confirms low uptake despite coverage of this service under the Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program.
Why early childhood dental care matters3
- Early prevention: Identifies dental disease
- Prevents cavities: Maximizes conservative management techniques (such as fluoride varnish)
- Provides parental education: Dentists offer personalized advice on brushing, bottle and pacifier habits, thumb/pacifier sucking, and diet
- Develops positive experiences: Receiving dental care early in life creates familiarity
Referral resources: Dentists who provide early childhood dental care
Feedback from pediatricians and parents suggests it can be difficult to find a dental home for children under age 2. Our Early Childhood Dental Provider Resource helps referring providers identify in-network dentists who serve children aged 0-2. Providers can download a list of dentists organized by regions to help families find care close to home.
Ensuring dental care for young children helps close care gaps as measured by the Oral Evaluation, Dental Services (OED) HEDIS® measure. Learn more in the HEDIS Quality Reference Guide and in our HEDIS OED Tip Sheet available on the Quality Improvement page.
Additional resources
- Bright Futures: Oral Health Pocket Guide from the National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center
- Oral Health Resources for Clinicians from the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
- Oral Health Resources for Families from the American Academy of Pediatrics
References
1. American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, The Importance of the Age One Dental Visit, AAPD Policy Center (PDF)
2. Bussard N, Casamassimo P, Amini H, Peng J, Wapner A, Meyer BD. Age of first dental visits: A benefit of the pediatric medical home. Journal of Public Health Dentistry. 2024. doi:10.1111/jphd.12619.
3. Office of Head Start.