iDental launches back-to-school orthodontic initiative in Racine

iDental Orthodontics and Family Dentistry has started a back-to-school program to help Racine-area families check Medicaid or BadgerCare Plus eligibility for medically necessary orthodontic care. The clinic is offering twice-monthly Saturday appointments through Aug. 31 and a free electric toothbrush to the first 100 qualifying patients ages 6 to 20.

Why it matters: - The initiative is designed to reduce missed school time for children and missed work time for parents. - It also aims to help families navigate Wisconsin Medicaid and BadgerCare Plus requirements for orthodontic coverage. - iDental says access includes convenient appointment times, help with paperwork and clearer next steps for families.

What happened: - iDental Orthodontics and Family Dentistry launched its Back-to-School Smile Access Initiative for Racine-area families. - The clinic is offering orthodontic appointments on two Saturdays each month. - Families can call (262) 223-0280 through Aug. 31 to schedule an orthodontic assessment. - The first 100 patients ages 6 to 20 who schedule through the initiative and later receive prior authorization for covered orthodontic treatment will get an Oral-B Vitality rechargeable electric toothbrush. - The toothbrush has an approximate retail value of $30 and is available while supplies last.

The details: - Wisconsin Medicaid may cover comprehensive braces, limited orthodontic treatment and early interceptive treatment for patients under 21 when treatment is medically necessary and prior authorization is granted. - Cosmetic orthodontic treatment is not covered. - iDental evaluates the child, explains whether the case appears likely to meet the criteria, prepares documentation and submits the prior-authorization request. - Coverage decisions are made by ForwardHealth or the patient’s Medicaid health plan, not by iDental. - iDental says about seven in 10 prior-authorization requests it has submitted have been approved based on internal tracking. - The clinic says it screens patients before submission and is candid when a case is unlikely to qualify. - Patients whose treatment is authorized and covered by Medicaid may receive traditional orthodontic treatment without an out-of-pocket treatment charge, subject to continued eligibility and plan requirements. - The initiative also connects orthodontic patients with pediatric and preventive services at iDental. - The practice has dedicated dental hygienists who provide cleanings, preventive care and oral-health education for children. - Eligible Medicaid services may be covered without an out-of-pocket charge, depending on the patient’s plan and benefits. - Patients who receive an electric toothbrush can also get a complimentary replacement brush head at their regular six-month hygiene visit, while supplies last.

Between the lines: - The program is aimed at lowering a common barrier in pediatric dental care: families often know braces may be covered, but do not know whether a child qualifies or how to start the authorization process. - iDental is positioning Saturday hours as a practical access fix, not just a promotional offer. - The clinic also ties orthodontic intake to ongoing preventive care, which may help families stay in the system after the first visit. - The community need appears substantial: the Children’s Health Alliance of Wisconsin says more than half of Wisconsin children experience dental disease by age nine. - The alliance also estimates nearly 100,000 Medicaid-enrolled children under age five visit a physician each year without seeing a dentist. - Racine has faced provider shortages before. When the former Racine Community Health Center closed in 2015, about 6,000 patients had been relying on it annually for dental services. - iDental says it currently serves about 800 to 900 children per month.

What’s next: - Families interested in the initiative should call (262) 223-0280 by Aug. 31 and mention the program. - Assessments, treatment and promotional items remain subject to appointment availability, clinical evaluation, insurance eligibility, prior authorization and supplies. - iDental continues to offer pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, general dentistry, emergency services and other dental specialties at its Racine location. - Walk-ins are currently welcomed Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.; other weekday and Saturday visits are available by appointment. - More information is available at the practice website.