TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – For the fifth consecutive year, Kansas has earned a grade of “C” on the annual Kansas Oral Health Report Card, which is published by Oral Health Kansas.
The report measures the state’s oral health outcomes against national standards, identifying areas of progress and ongoing challenges in providing dental care to all Kansans.
Tanya Dorf Brunner, executive director of Oral Health Kansas, stated, “The data shows us where Kansas is making progress and where more research, advocacy, and education are needed. While we have seen some improvements, especially for children enrolled in KanCare, access to oral health care remains a major issue for many Kansas adults.”
While there was minimal change—about 1% or less—in the percentage of children receiving preventive dental care from 2024 to 2025, the increase in KanCare (Medicaid) enrollment points to a positive trend. Despite this, fewer than half of eligible children are receiving preventive dental visits, highlighting the need for expanded access and efforts to encourage the use of services.
Since the first Kansas Oral Health Report Card five years ago, there has been little improvement in adult oral health outcomes. Around two-thirds of Kansas adults visited a dentist in the past year, which is similar to the percentage of adults in the state who have dental insurance.
Kansas lawmakers are considering a proposal to increase KanCare dental reimbursement rates to match those of private dental insurance. If passed, this measure could improve provider participation and expand access to dental care for more Kansans in need.
