About 6.5 million children enrolled in Medicaid had untreated tooth decay in 2005 . Last ##ly 12-year - old Deamonte Driver died from complications of infected tooth . She cited plans to open eight dental schools in addition to the 57 currently in existence and said a new job -- community dental health coordinator -- has been created . Dentists often refuse to accept Medicaid , which often costs less than private insurance . Many Medicaid recipients say it 's difficult to get dental care using insurance .
About 6.5 million children enrolled in Medicaid had untreated tooth decay in 2005 . Last ##ly 12-year - old Deamonte Driver died from complications of infected tooth . Dentists often refuse to accept Medicaid , which often costs less than private insurance . Many Medicaid recipients say it 's difficult to get dental care using insurance .