Texas dental journal
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Early caries is still the most prevalent disease of childhood. Its incidence continues to be high, despite recent progress in the amount of untreated caries. The disease is more prevalent in low socio-economic and minority groups. To address this issue, in 2008 Texas implemented the First Dental Home Program for Medicaid children from 6 to 35 months old. The program consists in providing up to 10 preventive and oral health education visits to children very early in life. A specific dental visit code and a bundled payment of $94 were offered to insure adequate dental provider participation. Little is known about the program results to date. This paper evaluates program development at 5 years. ⋯ Many children benefited from the program since its rollout. However, despite considerable financial resources and dental provider participation, the uptake of the first dental home program by Medicaid beneficiaries could be improved. Moreover, those who participate do not always take full advantage of the program. Without adequate participation, the desired outcomes of the program may not materialize. Additional efforts to catalyze program development and on-going evaluation may be needed.