Looking for a Dentist Who Takes Medicaid in Burton? Read This First

If you have called around Genesee County looking for a dentist who takes your coverage, you have probably heard no more than once. It is a frustrating thing to be told, especially when the card in your hand says you are covered. We take Medicare and Medicaid at our Burton office, for adults and for children, and we have for years.

Why so many offices say no

It is not personal, and it is usually not about the patients. Public plans reimburse dental offices at lower rates than private insurance and involve more administration, so some practices choose not to participate. The result is a real access problem in Michigan: people who have coverage but cannot find anyone to use it with, and who end up in a hospital emergency room with a toothache that a dentist could have handled months earlier for a fraction of the cost.

Dr. Raju has practiced in Burton since 1997 and made a different call. If you live here, you should be able to get your teeth looked after here.

What we accept

• Medicaid, for adults and for children
• Medicare
• The Healthy Michigan Plan
• Most major PPO plans
• CareCredit and payment plans through Dort Financial Credit Union if you have no coverage at all

We file the claim for you. You do not need to submit anything yourself or chase a reimbursement afterward.

What your plan actually covers

This is the part we cannot answer in a blog post, and you should be wary of anyone who tries. Michigan dental benefits differ depending on the plan you are enrolled in, your age, and whether you are covered through the Healthy Michigan Plan or traditional Medicaid. Children generally have broader dental coverage than adults.

The quickest way to find out where you stand is to call us at (810) 715-3368 with your card in hand and read us what is on it. The front desk checks your specific plan before you come in, so you know what is covered and what is not before you sit in the chair. If something you need is not covered, we tell you the cost in writing and talk through the options, including doing the urgent part now and the rest later.

Bring the kids

Children's dental coverage is generally the most comprehensive part of the benefit, and it is worth using. Cleanings, exams, X-rays, fluoride and sealants are the things that keep a child out of the chair for fillings later on. We see children here alongside their parents, which saves you a second trip across town, and we are used to first visits that are more about getting comfortable than getting anything done.

If it has been years

A lot of people who finally find an office that takes their coverage have not seen a dentist in a long time, and they are embarrassed about it. Please do not be. We see this every week, and nobody here is going to lecture you. Your first visit takes 60 to 90 minutes: a conversation about what is bothering you, a thorough exam with digital X-rays, an oral cancer screening, and a cleaning where that is appropriate. You leave with a plan and the costs in writing.

If something hurts right now, say so when you call. We keep time in the schedule for emergencies and will try to see you the same day.

There is also a health argument here that has little to do with teeth. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, and gum health is linked to heart health, to diabetes control and to pregnancy outcomes. It is close to silent in its early stages, which is exactly why a check-up is worth having even when nothing hurts.

What to bring to your first visit

Bring a photo ID, your insurance card, and a list of the medications you take, including anything over the counter and any supplements. Several common medications cause dry mouth, which raises your risk of decay, so that list tells us more than people expect. If you have had X-rays taken somewhere else in the last year or two, ask that office to send them over and we will save you being X-rayed twice.

If you are bringing a child, bring their insurance details as well as yours, even if you are on the same plan. Arrive about ten minutes early for paperwork, or ask us to send the forms ahead so you can fill them in at home instead.

Finding us

We are at 1024 N. Genesee Rd in Burton, just off I-69 between Court St and Davison Rd, with free parking at the door. We are open Tuesday to Thursday from 9 to 5, with Monday and Friday by appointment. Patients come to us from Burton, Flint, Davison, Grand Blanc and across Genesee County.

Call (810) 715-3368 with your insurance card handy, or request an appointment online and tell us what coverage you have so we can check it and call you back. New patients are welcome, and the first consultation is free.

Questions patients ask us

About the author

Dr. Prabha Raju, DDS

Dr. Raju has practiced dentistry in Burton, Michigan since 1997, with advanced training in implants, sedation, laser dentistry and Invisalign.

Meet Dr. Raju →

Tender Dental Care, 1024 N. Genesee Rd, Burton, MI 48509. Serving Flint, Grand Blanc, Davison, Flushing, Swartz Creek, Fenton and Genesee County. This article is general information, not a diagnosis; please see a dentist for advice about your own mouth.