Dental care is a priority at PHS.

Pima Health System (PHS) provides medically necessary dental services to all eligible, enrolled members under the age of 21. Medically necessary dental services include emergency and preventive services, as well as therapeutic dental services, dentures, and pre-transplantation services. Dental services are a component of the EPSDT program.

A PCP referral is not required for preventive dental services and all PHS children are permitted self-referral to any primary dental provider in the PHS network. The initial dental visit is recommended for children at three years of age. However, earlier initial dental evaluations may be appropriate for some children. Subsequent examinations are at the discretion of the dentist but are never less than once a year. Also, the member's PCP is required to perform an oral health screening at each EPSDT visit. From individual discussion with parents during every interaction with MCH staff, to anticipatory guidance from PCPs about the importance of dental visits, dental care is one health care area that is addressed in every EPSDT encounter. Dental care is a priority at PHS.