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CareSource Dental: What Ohio Medicaid Covers and How to Find a Dentist

By Modinul Islam Khan Updated October 12, 2026

Reviewed October 12, 2026. Yes, CareSource covers dental care for its Medicaid members. In Ohio, CareSource Medicaid covers two dental exams and cleanings a year plus X-rays, and more involved care such as dentures needs prior authorization. Since January 1, 2026, Delta Dental runs the dental network for CareSource Ohio Medicaid, so your dentist needs to know you’re covered through Delta Dental.

Quick answer: CareSource Ohio Medicaid dental care is covered at no cost to you when it’s medically necessary. That includes exams, cleanings, X-rays, fillings and extractions, and dentures with prior approval. Braces are covered only for members under 21 when medically necessary. To find a dentist, use the CareSource Find a Doctor tool or call Member Services at 1-800-488-0134 (TTY 711).

Does CareSource cover dental?

CareSource is a nonprofit managed care plan. It’s one of the Medicaid plans in Ohio, Georgia, Indiana and other states. Dental benefits depend on which CareSource plan you have:

CareSource plan	Dental coverage
Ohio Medicaid	Exams, cleanings, X-rays, fillings, extractions and other medically necessary care; dentures and implants need prior authorization; braces under 21 only
MyCare Ohio and Next Generation MyCare (Medicare-Medicaid plans)	Preventive and basic dental care at $0 through Delta Dental, plus an extra allowance on some plans
Georgia Medicaid	CareSource Georgia says Medicaid members over age 21 now have dental benefits
Indiana Medicaid (Hoosier Healthwise and HIP)	Exams, cleanings, X-rays, fillings, oral surgery and dentures; braces for members under 21

Benefits can change, so check your member handbook or Evidence of Coverage for your exact plan. For background on CareSource’s plans, see Is CareSource Medicaid?

CareSource dental Ohio: what Medicaid covers

The CareSource Ohio Medicaid member handbook says two dental exams and cleanings are covered each year, and dental X-rays are covered too. CareSource recommends seeing a dentist about every six months.

Covered dental services

Exams and cleanings (two a year)
X-rays
Fillings and tooth extractions
Root canals, gum (periodontal) care and oral surgery when medically necessary
Dentures and partials, with prior authorization
Braces (orthodontics) for members under 21, only when medically necessary and with prior authorization

Services that need prior authorization

The handbook lists these dental services as needing approval from CareSource before you get them:

Dental labs and tests
Dentures and implants
Orthodontics
Dental surgeries and procedures

Your dentist usually asks for the approval. If a request is denied, the denial letter explains how to appeal.

What you pay

The member handbook says covered, medically necessary services come at no cost to you. Bring your CareSource member ID card to every visit and ask the office to confirm that it takes CareSource through Delta Dental before your appointment.

Delta Dental replaced DentaQuest in 2026

CareSource told dental providers that Delta Dental would replace DentaQuest as its dental benefit administrator for Ohio Medicaid, Next Generation MyCare and Ohio D-SNP members starting January 1, 2026. The member handbook now says: “Your dental benefits are provided by Delta Dental.” CareSource also adopted Delta Dental’s clinical policies for services such as dentures, root canals, braces and gum treatment from that date.

What this means for you:

If your dentist took CareSource through DentaQuest, ask whether they’re now in the Delta Dental network for CareSource.
Use the current provider directory, not an older printed list.
Tell the office you’re covered by Delta Dental for CareSource when you book.

CareSource dental providers: how to find a dentist

Search the CareSource Find a Doctor tool and choose a dentist near you.
Or search Delta Dental’s directory and select the CareSource network.
Call the dental office and ask, “Do you take CareSource Medicaid through Delta Dental?”
If you can’t find a dentist taking new patients, call CareSource Member Services at 1-800-488-0134 (TTY 711), Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

CareSource also offers free rides to medical and dental appointments for Ohio Medicaid members. Call Member Services to schedule one.

Dental rewards for CareSource Ohio members

CareSource Ohio Medicaid members can earn rewards for dental exams, according to the member handbook:

Age	Reward for a dental exam
3 to 17	$10, up to twice a year ($20 total)
18 and older	$20, up to twice a year ($40 total)

Rewards programs can change during the year, so check the current handbook or your CareSource member account.

CareSource dental coverage for MyCare and dual-eligible members

If you have both Medicare and Medicaid, you may be in CareSource MyCare Ohio or another CareSource dual plan. CareSource’s MyCare dental page says:

Dental benefits come through Delta Dental; CareSource lists a MyCare dental line at 1-833-778-7003 (TTY 711)
Cleanings, exams, X-rays, simple extractions, minor fillings and gum care cost $0
CareSource MyCare Ohio adds a $3,000 supplemental dental benefit that can cover an extra oral exam and cleaning, two fluoride treatments and implants

CareSource Dual Advantage plans (HMO D-SNP) also include a dental allowance, but the amounts on CareSource’s pages don’t match each other, so check your plan’s Summary of Benefits or Evidence of Coverage for the exact figure. During Medicare Open Enrollment (October 15 to December 7, 2026), look at your 2027 Annual Notice of Change for any dental changes. Read Medicaid vs. Medicare to see how the two programs work together.

CareSource dental insurance in other states

Georgia

CareSource Georgia says Medicaid members over age 21 now have dental benefits. Children’s dental care includes cleanings, sealants and fluoride. Call the number on your member ID card to confirm limits.

Indiana

CareSource’s Indiana benefits summary lists exams and cleanings, X-rays, fluoride for ages 0 to 20, gum care, fillings, oral surgery, dentures and partials (prior authorization may apply), and braces for ages 0 to 20. Indiana Member Services: 1-844-607-2829.

Other Ohio Medicaid plans

Ohio’s Next Generation Medicaid program has seven managed care plans: AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Buckeye Health Plan, CareSource, Humana Healthy Horizons in Ohio, Molina HealthCare of Ohio and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. If you want to compare dental extras, see AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio and Humana Healthy Horizons. To change plans, call the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline at 1-800-324-8680 (TTY 711).

Keep your Medicaid coverage active so you don’t lose dental benefits. Our guide to Medicaid renewal explains the steps, and how to sign in to Medicaid shows where to update your information.

Frequently asked questions

Does CareSource Ohio cover dental for adults?

Yes. Adults on CareSource Ohio Medicaid are covered for exams, cleanings, X-rays, fillings, extractions and other medically necessary dental care. Dentures need prior authorization.

How many cleanings does CareSource cover?

The Ohio Medicaid member handbook says two dental exams and cleanings are covered each year.

Does CareSource cover dental implants?

Implants need prior authorization under Ohio Medicaid and are approved only in limited, medically necessary cases. Some CareSource MyCare plans include an extra allowance that can go toward implants.

Does CareSource cover braces?

Only for members under 21, when medically necessary and approved in advance.

Who is CareSource’s dental provider in Ohio?

Delta Dental, since January 1, 2026. It replaced DentaQuest.

What is the CareSource dental phone number?

For Ohio Medicaid, call CareSource Member Services at 1-800-488-0134 (TTY 711). MyCare members can call the CareSource MyCare dental line at 1-833-778-7003 (TTY 711). For other states, use the number on your member ID card.

For more on dental benefits in Medicare plans, read Medicare Advantage dental coverage.

This article is general information. Medicare365 is not affiliated with or endorsed by CareSource, Delta Dental, the Ohio Department of Medicaid or any U.S. government agency. Benefits vary by plan and state; check your member handbook or Evidence of Coverage, or call the number on your member ID card.