Yes. Pregnancy Medicaid in Texas does cover dental care for members age 21 and older, offered as a value-added benefit through the STAR managed care plan the member is enrolled in. Coverage typically includes exams, cleanings, x-rays, fillings, and extractions, and it runs through pregnancy and for 12 months after the pregnancy ends. The exact services, and whether there is an annual dollar cap, depend on which STAR plan you have.
What Each STAR Plan Covers
Regular adult Medicaid in Texas pays only for emergency dental services.1Center for Health Care Strategies. Medicaid Adult Dental Benefits Overview Appendix Pregnant women are the exception. Because they’re enrolled in STAR, each managed care organization adds dental as a value-added benefit that goes well beyond emergencies. Since the benefit is set by the plan rather than by a uniform state rule, the details differ:
- Texas Children’s Health Plan covers two routine exams and cleanings a year, routine extractions, x-rays, fillings, and emergency exams, administered through FCL Dental’s Healthy Rewards Program.2Texas Children’s Health Plan. Prenatal Dental Care Information
- El Paso Health covers dental checkups, x-rays, routine cleanings, fillings, and extractions up to $500 per year.3El Paso Health. STAR Program
- Aetna Better Health of Texas covers cleanings once every six months, x-rays once a year, limited fillings, simple extractions, and fluoride treatments.4Aetna Better Health of Texas. Whats Covered STAR
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas covers dental exams, cleanings, x-rays, cavity fillings, and tooth extractions up to $250 per year, managed through DentaQuest.5Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. Value-Added Services – Dental
Because the benefit varies, call the number on your STAR plan card to confirm what your plan covers before scheduling.
What About Root Canals, Crowns, and Deep Cleanings
The plans above focus on preventive and basic restorative work. More complex procedures such as root canals, crowns, and periodontal scaling and root planing are generally not listed among the standard value-added benefits. The Texas Department of State Health Services perinatal oral health guide states that root canals, scaling and root planing, and restorations are safe during pregnancy and recommends that pregnant women receive “any treatment needed to maintain or improve their oral health,” while advising members to check with their specific plan, since some go beyond the baseline.6Texas Department of State Health Services. Perinatal Oral Health Guide Emergency dental exams are explicitly covered by plans such as Texas Children’s Health Plan.2Texas Children’s Health Plan. Prenatal Dental Care Information
How Long the Dental Coverage Lasts
Dental benefits continue through the pregnancy and into the postpartum period. Texas extended postpartum Medicaid from two months to 12 months through House Bill 12, signed by Governor Greg Abbott in May 2023 and effective March 1, 2024.7Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership. HB 12 Postpartum Extension8The Texas Tribune. Texas Postpartum Medicaid Slow Rollout The 12 months begin the month after the pregnancy ends and include the “full array of Medicaid or CHIP covered services.” Texas Children’s Health Plan confirms that STAR benefits for pregnant members, including dental care, are available during pregnancy and up to 12 months after birth.9Texas Children’s Health Plan. For Pregnant Members
Once the 12-month postpartum window closes, dental coverage generally ends. Regular adult Medicaid returns to emergency-only dental, and the Healthy Texas Women and Healthy Texas Women Plus programs, which serve women after pregnancy-related Medicaid ends, do not include dental benefits.10Healthy Texas Women. Healthy Texas Women11Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership. HTW Plus Services Available
CHIP Perinatal Does Not Include Dental
If your income is too high for Medicaid but low enough for CHIP Perinatal, the coverage is much narrower. CHIP Perinatal covers prenatal visits, lab services, prescriptions, diabetic supplies, and delivery charges, but does not list dental among its benefits.12Texas Health and Human Services. CHIP Perinatal FAQs CHIP Perinatal recipients also don’t qualify for the 12-month postpartum extension; coverage ends at the close of the month the pregnancy ends, plus two postpartum visits.13Texas Health and Human Services. Medicaid for Pregnant Women and CHIP Perinatal
Finding a Dentist Who Takes Your Plan
The path to a dentist runs through your STAR plan’s dental administrator. On Texas Children’s Health Plan, adult dental services are coordinated through FCL Dental at 1-866-548-8123, and the plan offers an online provider search.2Texas Children’s Health Plan. Prenatal Dental Care Information Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas routes its dental benefit through DentaQuest at 1-800-205-4715.5Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. Value-Added Services – Dental
If your plan’s network is thin in your area, the Texas Department of State Health Services points to a few other options:14Texas Department of State Health Services. Find a Dentist
- 211 Texas. Call 2-1-1 or visit 211Texas.org to search dental programs by zip code, with help available in more than 90 languages.
- Federally Qualified Health Centers. Some community health centers offer dental services; search at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.
- Dental schools. Texas A&M University School of Dentistry in Dallas and UT Health Houston School of Dentistry offer reduced-cost treatment by students under licensed faculty supervision.
Medicaid non-emergency transportation also covers rides to dental appointments and can be arranged at 888-401-0170.2Texas Children’s Health Plan. Prenatal Dental Care Information
Who Qualifies for Medicaid for Pregnant Women
To qualify, you must be a Texas resident and either a U.S. citizen or a qualified non-citizen. Eligibility is based on monthly household income before taxes. As of 2025, the income limit is 203% of the Federal Poverty Level.15KFF. Medicaid and CHIP Income Eligibility Limits for Pregnant Women The monthly income thresholds by household size are:13Texas Health and Human Services. Medicaid for Pregnant Women and CHIP Perinatal
- 1 person: $2,634/month
- 2 people: $3,571/month
- 3 people: $4,508/month
- 4 people: $5,445/month
- 5 people: $6,383/month
Each additional household member adds $938 to the threshold. Applicants whose income falls above the Medicaid limit but within the CHIP Perinatal range may qualify for CHIP Perinatal, which does not cover dental.