The Massachusetts dental Medicaid program 1967-1971

This brief description of the Dental Medicaid Program in Massachusetts during the years 1967-1971 has emphasized several points: the Medicaid program tended to expand the scope of services available to public assistance recipients; dentists accepted the program at inception and continued to participate although the fee schedule remained relatively constant over time; expenditures for dentistry were a significant proportion of the Medicaid budget: it was possible through program restrictions such as 'prior approval' on expensive items to control the cost of the program; dental care for those under age 21 was proportionately less expensive than dental care of the elderly; the dentally indigent were important contributors to dental care utilization in the Massachusetts program.