WHAT IS SOONERCARE?

The Oklahoma Health Care Authority (“OHCA”) administers our State’s Medicaid’s program of Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) service. In the State of Oklahoma our dental program, called SoonerCare Dental is self administered fee for service and is a comprehensive preventive child dental health service provided for members aged birth through 20 years of age. The OHCA’s goal is for SoonerCare qualified children to be free of pain and have happy beautiful smiles. Poor oral health can affect quality of life; therefore it is important to develop healthy dental habits from the start. Healthy dental habits include the following:

Healthy diet
A balanced diet of essential proteins, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins keeps the mouth healthier. Reduction of sweet and sticky food, and eating more fruits and vegetables help prevent tooth decay.
Dental hygiene
SoonerCare contracted dentists can teach the proper tooth brushing and flossing by actual demonstration once every 12 months.
Dental check-ups
SoonerCare encourages and pays for routine preventive and diagnostic dental services such as oral examinations, topical fluoride applications, sealants and x-rays. A child should have a first dental check-up no later than the second birthday. During the oral examinations, if any decay and/or cavities are found SoonerCare covers all treatment necessary.
Dental emergencies
SoonerCare’s goal is children free of pain with happy beautiful smiles. SoonerCare covers emergency examinations and emergency extractions for the relief of pain or treatment of acute infection.

WHO QUALIFIES?

To qualify for SoonerCare, a person must:

Reside in Oklahoma;
Be a U.S. citizen or qualified alien (most immigrants who arrived after August 22, 1996 are barred from the program for five years);
Meet financial income and resources standards in certain categories.

HOW TO APPLY:

You may request a SoonerCare application for yourself or any other person by mail, telephone or by scheduling an appointment with your Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) county office. The OKDHS workers will assist you in gathering the needed information and applying for SoonerCare benefits.