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Thursday, October 4, 2007 at 09:10PM
Deamonte Driver, the 12-year-old Maryland boy who died in February of an infection caused by an abscessed tooth, was one of more than 10,780 Medicaid-eligible Maryland children who had not seen a dentist in at least four years, a congressional analysis has concluded.
Fewer than one in three children in the state's Medicaid program received any care in 2005, the latest year for which figures were available. Many dentists cannot participate, because the state's low Medicaid reimbursement rates for dental procedures are below the costs of providing the service. Maryland has reduced the dental reimbursement to reduce the number of dentists available to Medicaid patients--budget control.
In Deamonte's case, the systemic problems were compounded by personal obstacles including a lack of transportation, erratic telephone and mail service and periods of homelessness.
His Medicaid coverage had temporarily lapsed at the time he was hospitalized after bacteria from a dental infection spread to his brain. He died after two operations and six weeks of hospital care that cost more than $250,000.
Last month, a panel of experts convened by state Health and Mental Hygiene Secretary John M. Colmers recommended restructuring the state's Medicaid program The experts also called for spending $40 million more a year to raise reimbursement rates for dentists.
"The death of Deamonte Driver opened up questions about what kind of care is available to children. What we are finding is that children are not getting the care they are entitled to.
Maryland's Medicaid services were singled out for scrutiny after Deamonte's death, and leaders throughout the state made dental reform a rallying point.Fewer than one in three children in the state's Medicaid program received any care in 2005, the latest year for which figures were available. Many dentists cannot participate, because the state's low Medicaid reimbursement rates for dental procedures are below the costs of providing the service. Maryland has reduced the dental reimbursement to reduce the number of dentists available to Medicaid patients--budget control.
In Deamonte's case, the systemic problems were compounded by personal obstacles including a lack of transportation, erratic telephone and mail service and periods of homelessness.
His Medicaid coverage had temporarily lapsed at the time he was hospitalized after bacteria from a dental infection spread to his brain. He died after two operations and six weeks of hospital care that cost more than $250,000.
Last month, a panel of experts convened by state Health and Mental Hygiene Secretary John M. Colmers recommended restructuring the state's Medicaid program The experts also called for spending $40 million more a year to raise reimbursement rates for dentists.
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