Worker’s Compensation Dental Treatment Non-Existent

Have you ever had to use your workers compensation for dental reasons? Many would think that if you were dentally injured on the job that it would be easy to get treatment and worker’s compensation, but that is not always the case. In fact, there are few dentists who want to treat patients with workers compensation, due to not receiving fair fees for their work.

A survey was done on 50 Maryland dentists, asking them if they would take workers compensation cases. Most said ‘No’, though a few said they would with a written guarantee of payment. They stated that most insurance companies challenge their fees, pay them less and that dentistry needs to be included in the medical fee guide. Further research shows that this already exists, but no one is using it. The fee guide currently serves as a ‘cap’ and not a way to fairly reimburse dentists for their services. Dentists also stated that they are not paid in a timely manner for worker’s compensation cases.

Unfortunately the patients, not the dentists, are suffering the most due to this issue. Many are unable to get dental help and have to pay out of their own pockets, even when their dental disaster happened at work, such as a car accident that results in broken teeth.

The Maryland General Assembly is considering a bill that requires the Workers Compensation Commission to appoint dentists to its Medical Fee Guide Committee. Hopefully, with any luck, this bill will be heard loud and clear.









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