Children that received any dental service by insurance type in Maine

Dental disease can affect children’s overall health, self-confidence, school readiness and future employment success. Poor oral health in childhood contributes to serious and costly complications for health and economic stability later in life.CDC: child dental health is important

What the data shows
In 2023, 47% of children with MaineCare and 70% of children with commercial dental insurance had at least one dental service during the calendar year. This rate was up from 44% the previous year for children with MaineCare, and 69% from the previous year for children with commercial insurance. In terms of numbers, in 2023, there were 60,660 children who had a dental service with commercial insurance and 58,103 children with MaineCare who had a dental service. 

For 2023, combining commercially insured and children with MaineCare, 56.6% of children had at least one dental service during the calendar year. The highest rates of insured children with at least one dental service were in the counties of Cumberland, Sagadahoc, and Aroostook, at 63%, 61% and 60% respectively. The counties with the lowest combined rates of insured children with a dental service in 2023 were Hancock, Androscoggin, and Oxford -- at rates of 52%, 50% and 49% respectively.

Dental disease can affect children’s overall health, self-confidence, school readiness and future employment success. Poor oral health in childhood contributes to serious and costly complications for health and economic stability later in life.CDC: child dental health is important

What the data shows
In 2023, 47% of children with MaineCare and 70% of children with commercial dental insurance had at least one dental service during the calendar year. This rate was up from 44% the previous year for children with MaineCare, and 69% from the previous year for children with commercial insurance. In terms of numbers, in 2023, there were 60,660 children who had a dental service with commercial insurance and 58,103 children with MaineCare who had a dental service. 

For 2023, combining commercially insured and children with MaineCare, 56.6% of children had at least one dental service during the calendar year. The highest rates of insured children with at least one dental service were in the counties of Cumberland, Sagadahoc, and Aroostook, at 63%, 61% and 60% respectively. The counties with the lowest combined rates of insured children with a dental service in 2023 were Hancock, Androscoggin, and Oxford -- at rates of 52%, 50% and 49% respectively.