Wisdom Teeth Removal for Children with Medicaid

We know how challenging it is to find an oral surgeon who accepts Medicaid dental insurance in Austin, Texas and the surrounding communities. To help our underserved community who need their wisdom teeth removed, Dr. Nitin Raju provides this service for children between the ages of 13-20 at Super Smiles Dental in Austin, Texas.

Dr. Raju is at Super Smiles Dental office on William Cannon and I-35 two times a month helping patients with DentaQuest, MCNA, and TMHP Medicaid dental insurances. Two appointments will be required. On the first appointment, Dr. Raju will review your medical health, perform an oral exam, review your x-rays, go over IV sedation instructions, and develop a plan for your care. The second appointment will be the surgery. Unfortunately, same day exam and treatment is not allowed by Medicaid as surgical treatment requires preapproval by your insurance.

Scheduling Your Appointment

If you are a patient who already has a pediatric dentist or general dentist, please have them fill out this downloadable referral form and sent to . If you have had a recent panorex x-ray (within 6 months), that should be sent over as well.

If you have Medicaid Dental insurance but do not have a dentist already, give the Super Smiles office a call today at (512) 608-4420. You will need to see Dr. Michael Salas or Dr. David Wallach for an exam before you are referred to Dr. Raju.

Please note that an exam and referral by a general or pediatric dentist is a requirement of Medicaid.

FAQ

Can I have my exam and treatment done on the same day?

Unfortunately, Medicaid requires an exam by the oral surgeon first. After the exam is completed, information is sent to Medicaid for preapproval.

Do I need a referral to see the oral surgeon?

Medicaid requires a referral before being seen by a specialist oral surgeon. If you don’t have a dentist, one of the general dentists at Super Smiles Dental will need to see you first. If you already have a dentist, please have them send over the referral.

Is there any cost for the exam and x-rays?

Medicaid covers the cost of your exam and x-rays. If you had x-rays just completed at another office, we can use those if they have been taken within 6 months and they are forwarded to our office with the date they were taken.

Is there any out-of-pocket cost for my wisdom tooth surgery?

There is not a cost to you for any procedures approved by Medicaid. Our office will send Medicaid a note that contains the examination findings as well as symptoms that you have reported to us. Medicaid generally approves wisdom teeth for extraction if they are causing pain, hygiene issues, and have cavities or other diseases. If you wish to have the teeth not approved removed, you will need to pay the out-of-pocket cost for these procedures.

What types of sedation do you offer?

At Super Smiles Dental, Dr. Raju is able to offer oral sedation and moderate sedation. Of course, if you are not very anxious and/or do not want sedation, surgery can be performed with just local anesthesia.

With oral sedation, you will take a sedative tablet medicine one hour before your surgery. Moderate sedation involves starting an IV and getting medicines through it. These medicines work quickly. Moderate sedation is often described as a twilight sleep. While some patients may be sleepy with moderate sedation, others may feel more awake but relaxed. If you require a deeper level of sedation, you may require treatment at a different office.

Is sedation covered by Medicaid?

Sedation is sometimes covered by Medicaid.

How long does the preapproval process take?

It generally takes 2 weeks to receive preapproval from Medicaid regarding your wisdom teeth and sedation.

Is follow-up required?

Most patients do not require follow-up care at the office following wisdom teeth removal. However, if you have any issues you will be seen by Dr. Raju at either Super Smiles Dental or South Austin Oral Surgery. There is no cost at either location for follow-up care.

Can I have my exam done at Super Smiles and surgery done at South Austin Oral Surgery?

Unfortunately, the exam and surgery must be done at Super Smiles Dental. Dr. Raju had originally intended to accept Medicaid at his office, however was told the process would take 1.5-2 years to be credentialled – as a result he has decided to partner with Dr. Wallach and Dr. Salas at Super Smiles on William Cannon.

Does Dr. Raju see Adult Medicaid?

Unfortunately, Dr. Raju only sees Children’s Medicaid patients at this time. Patients between the ages of 13-20 needing their wisdom teeth removed qualify for care.

What days is the oral surgeon at Super Smiles Dental?

Currently, Dr. Raju is at the Super Smiles Dental – Austin office one Tuesday a month for exams and one Thursday a month for surgeries. However post-surgical care is available to patient any day of the work week.