Key takeaways
- Yes. Children’s Medicaid and CHIP in Texas both include dental care, including checkups, cleanings, x-rays, fluoride, sealants and fillings.
- Dental care runs through a separate dental plan—DentaQuest, MCNA Dental or UnitedHealthcare Dental—with its own ID card.
- Covered Medicaid dental care is free. CHIP may have a small yearly enrollment fee, but there are no copays for exams, x-rays, cleanings or sealants.
- Kudo Care Dental in Irving accepts Texas Medicaid and CHIP dental for children 18 and under.
The short answer
Yes. Both Texas Children’s Medicaid and CHIP (the Children’s Health Insurance Program) include dental coverage, so most enrolled children can get checkups, cleanings, x-rays, fluoride, sealants and fillings at little or no cost to the family.
Medicaid dental benefits come through Texas Health Steps, which covers children from birth through age 20 and starts dental checkups at 6 months of age. CHIP covers children 18 and under in families who earn too much for Medicaid. At Kudo Care Dental in Irving, we accept Texas Medicaid and CHIP dental for children 18 and under.
Medicaid or CHIP: what’s the difference?
Both programs are run by Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC), and one application checks your child for both. The main differences are income and cost:
- Children’s Medicaid is for lower-income families. Covered care, including Texas Health Steps checkups, is free.
- CHIP is for families who earn too much for Medicaid but can’t afford private coverage. HHSC’s CHIP page lists an enrollment fee of $50 or less per family, per year, plus copays for some services based on income.
To qualify for either, a child generally must live in Texas, be a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen and meet the income guidelines. Young adults who are 19 or 20 and still have Medicaid keep Texas Health Steps dental benefits; because we see Medicaid and CHIP patients through age 18, they should call their dental plan to find a dentist.
How it works: your child’s dental plan
In Texas, children’s Medicaid and CHIP dental care isn’t handled by your child’s medical plan. It runs through a separate dental plan that contracts with the state. HHSC’s managed care map (revised January 2026) lists three statewide dental plans: DentaQuest, MCNA Dental and UnitedHealthcare Dental.
A few things parents often miss:
- Your child has a separate dental ID card. It comes from the dental plan, not the medical plan. Keep it with your child’s Medicaid or CHIP card.
- Each child has a “main dentist.” You can pick one when you enroll; if you don’t, the plan assigns one.
- You can change main dentists. Call member services at the number on the dental card; some plans also let you change it online.
- Rides may be available. Medicaid families can get help with rides to dental visits. Texas Health Steps can help at 877-847-8377.
What’s typically covered
Coverage is broad in both programs, with limits on how often some services can be done. This summary is based on the federal Insure Kids Now benefit reports for Texas (data as of February 2026):
| Service | Children’s Medicaid | CHIP |
|---|---|---|
| Checkups (exams) | Twice a year, from 6 months of age | Once every 6 months |
| Cleanings and fluoride | Once every 6 months (more often for ages 6–35 months) | Once every 6 months |
| X-rays | Yes; full-mouth and panoramic about once every 3 years | Yes; limits apply |
| Sealants | Once per tooth, per lifetime | Once per lifetime on permanent molars and upper premolars |
| Fillings (silver or tooth-colored) | Once per tooth every 12 months | Once per tooth every 12 months |
| Crowns, root canals, extractions | Yes; crowns need plan approval first | Yes; some count toward a yearly cap |
| Braces | Only for severe cases, with plan approval | Not a CHIP dental benefit |
| Cosmetic care, like whitening | No | No |
“Plan approval” (prior authorization) means the dentist sends records to the dental plan and waits for a yes before treatment. We handle that paperwork and let you know the answer. If something isn’t covered, we’ll tell you and give you a written estimate before treatment.
Costs and limits to know about
- Medicaid: covered dental services are free for your child.
- CHIP enrollment fee: $50 or less per family, per year, depending on income.
- CHIP copays: none for exams, x-rays, cleanings or sealants. Other dental visits may have a small copay based on income, and total family cost-sharing is capped at 5% of income.
- CHIP yearly cap: HHSC says CHIP has a cap for dental services, and care beyond it needs dental plan approval first. 2026 plan materials listed it as $564 per 12-month coverage period. Federal rules adopted in 2024 phase out yearly dollar limits in CHIP, so the cap may change—ask your child’s dental plan for the current rule.
How to check eligibility and apply
- Go online at YourTexasBenefits.com to apply, see whether your child is enrolled, upload documents and view your Medicaid card.
- Call 2-1-1 (or 877-541-7905), pick your language, then choose option 2 for help applying or with your benefits.
- Have your information ready, like proof of income. HHSC will tell you if it needs more documents.
- Watch for renewal notices. Coverage usually needs to be renewed every year. Answer HHSC letters quickly so your child doesn’t lose coverage between checkups.
Already enrolled? To confirm dental coverage before a visit, call the number on your child’s dental card or check your account online.
What to bring to your child’s visit
- Your child’s dental plan ID card, plus their Medicaid or CHIP card
- A photo ID for the parent or guardian
- A list of your child’s medicines, allergies and health conditions
- Recent dental records or x-rays, if you have them—plans limit how often some x-rays are covered
- Any notes from a school dental screening
- Consent paperwork if someone other than a parent or legal guardian is bringing your child (ask us ahead of time)
- A favorite toy or blanket for younger kids
Tips to get the most from your child’s coverage
- Use every six-month checkup. They’re covered, and they catch cavities while they’re small and simple to fix.
- Ask about sealants when permanent molars come in, usually around ages 6 and 12. Both programs cover them.
- Don’t forget the doctor’s office. For babies and toddlers, your child’s doctor may apply fluoride varnish at well-child checkups too.
- Stick with one main dentist when you can, so the same team tracks your child’s teeth over time.
- Renew on time. A gap in coverage can delay care that was already planned.
Getting care at Kudo Care Dental
We accept Texas Medicaid and CHIP dental for children 18 and under, along with most PPO plans for the rest of the family. Before the first visit, call (469) 706-0710 with your child’s dental plan name and member ID so we can confirm coverage. If the plan needs your child’s main dentist updated, member services can do that by phone.
We’re open 7 days a week, including Saturday 9–6 and Sunday 9–1, so checkups don’t have to mean missed school. Our team speaks English, Spanish and Vietnamese. Learn more about our children’s dentistry, cleanings and exams and sealants and fluoride, or see what to expect as a new patient. If it’s your child’s very first visit, read your child’s first dental visit. Parents without dental coverage can find options on our insurance and financing page and in our guide to dental care without insurance.
Frequently asked questions
Does CHIP cover dental in Texas?
Yes. Texas CHIP includes dental coverage for children 18 and under through a separate dental plan. Checkups, cleanings, x-rays, fluoride, sealants, fillings and many treatments are covered, with no copays for exams, x-rays, cleanings or sealants. CHIP has a yearly cap on dental benefits, and care beyond it needs plan approval.
Which dental plans serve Texas Medicaid and CHIP kids?
HHSC’s managed care map (revised January 2026) lists three statewide dental plans: DentaQuest, MCNA Dental and UnitedHealthcare Dental. Your child’s plan name is on the dental ID card. You can choose a plan and a main dentist when you enroll; if you don’t, one is assigned.
Does Medicaid cover braces for kids in Texas?
Only in limited cases. Texas Medicaid can cover braces with prior approval when a child’s bite problem is severe enough to meet the state’s criteria. CHIP doesn’t include braces as a dental plan benefit. Straightening teeth for looks alone usually isn’t covered by either program.
Can my baby get dental care on Texas Medicaid?
Yes. Texas Health Steps dental checkups start at 6 months of age, and Medicaid covers cleanings and fluoride varnish more often for children 6 to 35 months when needed. Your child’s doctor may also apply fluoride varnish at well-child checkups. The ADA and AAP recommend a first dental visit by the first birthday.
Related services
About the author: My Phuong Tran
My Phuong believes oral health is a life skill everyone deserves to understand. As a registered dental hygienist, she is passionate about educating patients in a way that feels kind, calm and clear. Meet the team.
