Beginning July 1st, Medicaid beneficiaries have access to more dental services under a benefit that became available April 1st.

The new benefit provides Medicaid adults age 21 and older with access to up to $1,000 in dental services per state fiscal year, according to a release from the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF). “A healthy mouth and health body go hand-in-hand,” said Susan Birch, Executive Director of HCPF in a statement. “We have already heard from many of our clients how grateful they are since the initial benefit began in April. Having this enhanced benefit in place will help our clients maintain good oral health and improve their overall health and quality of life.”

The extended benefit covers basic preventive dental exams, diagnostic and restorative dental services including extractions, root canals, crowns, partial dentures, complete dentures, periodontal scaling, root planning and other procedures requiring prior authorization.

The expansion is funded through the federal and state government. Colorado’s share of the funding comes from a state fund that formerly funded Cover Colorado.