AP FILE PHOTO

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced in a press release on Tuesday, that it has launched a competitive procurement for the Healthy Kids Dental contract.

According to the release, the Healthy Kids Dental is a dental benefit program for children with Medicaid and covers dental services such as X-rays, cleanings, fillings, extractions, sealants, and more at no cost to families. The Healthy Kids Dental model functions similarly to commercial dental plans and serves approximately 955,000 Michigan children statewide.

“Through this rebid process, MDHHS seeks to provide improved quality and access for Michigan’s youth served by Healthy Kids Dental,” MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel said in the release “Dental care remains one of the most unmet health needs for children, particularly in low-income and rural areas. Oral health plays a critical role in overall health, and Michigan’s Healthy Kids Dental Program is vital to ensuring our children receive the care they need for a lifetime of smiles.”

MDHHS states that the Healthy Kids Dental will provide access to a network of dental professionals while promoting patient-centered best practices for enrolled children.

“This will result in children and their families having an increased understanding of the value of daily oral health care and preventive dental care to improve the likelihood of good oral health practices throughout the child’s life,” the release states.

New contracts for the Health Kids Dental program are scheduled to begin Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026.