MCNA dentist offers affordable care in Fort Worth TX for Medicaid, CHIP patients

A beautiful and healthy smile should be for all, not just the wealthiest among us. Dr. Vidya Suri is proud to be an MCNA⤴ dentist in Fort Worth, TX ^⤴. Founded by a group of dentists in the 1990s, Managed Care of North America administers dental benefits for patients who are enrolled in Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Medicare. MCNA administers benefits for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and its Medicaid and CHIP programs.

This distinction as an MCNA member dentist means two key things for you, our valued patient, and your family:

• It’s validation that you’re partnering with a trusted dental provider. To be accepted into this network of dentists, Sycamore Dental completed a credentialing application. From there, a committee of licensed and board-certified dentists reviewed the application and completed screening that aligns with guidelines established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the “gold standard” in health care credentialing and recredentialing: National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). This stringent process gives patients peace of mind; the committee only accepts providers of the “highest caliber.” It’s also a point of pride for Dr. Suri’s team to be included in this vaunted group of general dentists and specialists.
• We’re committed to care for all. This isn’t just lip service. As you may already know too well, finding dentists who accept these insurance programs isn’t easy. In fact, the American Dental Association reports only around 38 percent of dentists in the United States accept Medicaid or CHIP. Access stands in the way of patients getting the care they need; while the gap is closing, the ADA notes 48 percent of children on Medicaid visited the dentist in the year-prior versus the 60 percent of kids with private insurance who saw a dentist in the same time period. These annual check-ups and cleanings are a foundation of good oral health as well as good overall health.

Preventive care also costs a lot less over the longer term, because you, aren’t spending money on more costly and traumatic restorative procedures (such as tooth replacement with crowns, bridges, or dental implants). The National Association of Dental Plans found adult patients on Medicaid who were provided with preventive dental benefits also had lower health care costs overall.

The NADP analyzed patients with seven chronic conditions, ranging from coronary artery disease and diabetes, to stroke and asthma, and found that those with preventive dental benefits had 31 to 67 percent lower costs for medical care associated with managing and treating their conditions than those without preventive dental benefits. Medicaid policies and programs that encourage preventive services, defined in the survey as at least one dental visit with a cleaning, exam, fluoride treatment or sealant, have the potential to dramatically reduce costs for conditions that seemingly have nothing to do with the mouth! Dentistry represents a vital component of health care, but research has also found that Medicaid patients who don’t have dental services are more likely to wait to seek care until the pain of a toothache becomes unmanageable. They end up in the hospital with costly bills for emergency room care.

Sycamore Dental also offers emergency services, from those who know what’s in the best interest of your oral health. They understand toothaches and accidents don’t always arise during office hours, so for this reason, after-hours calls are forwarded to Dr. Suri’s personal phone during which concerns are addressed in a timely fashion. As an MCNA member-dentist, Dr. Suri and the team focus on preventing conditions that might lead to a late-night or weekend call. Dental benefits include:

• Prevention and diagnostic services – Professional cleanings, exams, X-rays, fluoride, and sealants to protect hard-to-clean molars that trap food and bacteria.
• Therapies – Restorative procedures treat enamel erosion, tooth decay, cavities, infections, and other gum- and teeth-related problems. Services range from fillings and root canal therapy, to crowns, extractions, and emergency care.

Dr. Suri and her team understand financial concerns are barriers to proactive and restorative dentistry, but they never want them to be a barrier to your getting the care you need and deserve at Sycamore Dental. Payment options also include flexible financing to cover out-of-pocket costs. Call (817) 438-1828 to schedule an appointment at the Fort Worth office.