A SMILE
FOR KIDS
A Smile For Kids is a nonprofit organization providing free and affordable braces to underserved kids in Oregon
August 17, 2023, Update:
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has officially updated the information around Medicaid coverage of the new orthodontic benefit. You can see the new information here:
https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HSD/OHP/Tools/Orthodontic-Coverage-Fact-Sheet.pdf
A Smile for Kids would like to extend a great big "Thank You!" to the entire OHA Medicaid Dental Policy Team for making this happen.
August 10, 2023, Update:
For OHP members:
Your dentist or orthodontist can't tell you right away during your first evaluation visit if you qualify for the Orthodontic Medicaid Benefit or not. They will take measurements or get an impression of your teeth and send for approval to your Coordinated Care Organization (CCO), who makes the final decision. The dentist or orthodontist does not decide if you qualify or not.
If you are denied the benefit, you will receive an official denial letter and have the right to appeal. If you are denied and you do not receive the letter of denial, you have not been evaluated correctly. Please contact your CCO to address directly with them.
July 21, 2023, Update:
The Oregon Health Plan/Medicaid Orthodontic benefit (braces) has been in effect since January 1, 2023, for OHP Members under 21 years old. You can see the benefit in the OHP Member handbook (page 21) by clicking HERE.
For OHP members:
If you are under 21 years of age and a member of the Oregon Health Plan (OHP), this is a great opportunity to check if you are eligible for braces through Oregon's updated Medicaid program.
Please begin by contacting your primary care dentist to schedule a Medicaid orthodontic evaluation or reach out to your Dental Care Insurance:
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ODS Community Dental: Call 800-342-0526 or contact A Smile for Kids at 541-280-9799
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Open Card: Call 800-562-4620 or contact A Smile for Kids at 541-280-9799
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Advantage Dental: Call 866-268-9631 or visit your primary care dentist
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Capitol Dental Care: Call 800-525-6800 or visit your primary care dentist
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CareOregon Dental: Call 888-440-9912 or visit your primary care dentist
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Willamette Dental Group: Call 855-433-6825 or visit your primary care dentist
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Cascade Health Alliance: Call 888-989-7846 or visit your primary care dentist
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Kaiser Permanente: Call 866-653-0338 or visit your primary care dentist
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If you are 17 years or younger and have already completed an orthodontic evaluation with a dentist AND have received a Medicaid denial letter, we suggest you proceed with the ASK program intake form HERE.
Please note, if you have ODS Community Dental as your dental network providers, A Smile for Kids currently offers additional services to their members. For those with other dental network providers, please contact your provider directly as listed above.
If you have not signed up for the Oregon Health Plan yet, click here to check your eligibility and how to sign up.
For Current or Prospective OHP Providers:
Please contact Michael Emery at A Smile for Kids by calling 541-497-0020 or emailing michaelv@asmileforkids.org to find out more.
Best regards,
Christian Moller-Andersen
Executive Director, A Smile for Kids
What We Do
A Smile For Kids removes the obstacle of crooked teeth by providing orthodontic treatment to under-served Oregon children throughout Oregon. A Smile For Kids has a specific focus on helping those kids that are suffering from ridicule and bullying due to the look of their teeth and lack the resources for “braces” without the assistance of A Smile For Kids.
Qualifications for Applying
The child needs to be 11-17 years of age, have a severe need for braces, is without financial resources for treatment, has good oral hygiene habits, and will be living in their current community for a minimum of 2 years. In addition, a professional referral from an adult other than a relative will be contacted to verify that the child is suffering from low self-esteem due to the look of their teeth.
Program Requirements
In addition to orthodontic treatment requirements, all recipients are required to have grades of a "C" or above and volunteer 4 hours per month in their community during the entire treatment time.
How Are We Funded
A Smile For Kids is funded through a combination of discounted services from our partnering orthodontist and generous donations from corporate and private donors. A Smile For Kids does not receive state or federal dollars.
1200+
kids have received orthodontic treatment.
90
Orthodontic clinics partner with ASK.
94
percent of ASK kids graduate high school (2014-2018).
1000+
average hours of monthly volunteer service completed by ASK kids.
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