By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
Families with young children on Medicaid will have access to free dental care during a clinic hosted December 6 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Skyway Resource Center, 12610 76th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98178. The event is part of King County’s Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) program, which helps ensure that children receive early and regular dental care to prevent serious oral health problems.
The ABCD program focuses on children ages five and under who are enrolled in Apple Health. It emphasizes the nationally recommended “First Tooth, First Birthday, First Dental Exam” approach to pediatric dental care. Participating dentists receive specialized training and certification in treating very young children, helping to prevent early tooth decay and teaching families how to care for their children’s oral health.
“ABCD is for children 5 and under who are on Medicaid. First tooth, first birthdate, first dental examination,” said Daphne Pie, Regional Health Administrator for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “If you have a child on Apple Health and is under the age 5, we can schedule them with a pediatric dentist who specializes in oral health for children. We can also provide a dental provider list for children under 18.”
Children may qualify for the ABCD program if they are five or younger—or up to age 12 with a Developmental Disabilities Administration indicator—and are enrolled in Medicaid or have a ProviderOne service card. The program matches families with dentists based on location, availability, and language preferences. It also helps coordinate transportation and interpreter services when needed.
In addition to children’s services, Public Health – Seattle & King County offers the King County Adult Dental Program (KCADP), which provides care to adults who are ineligible for Apple Health due to citizenship status. Adults must have a current dental issue, such as pain or swelling, to qualify. Services are delivered through mobile clinics or private dental offices in Renton, Tukwila, or Seattle.
“Client must have a current dental issue like pain or swelling,” said Pie. “Once the client is enrolled, they will get services at a mobile event or a private dentist in Renton, Tukwila or Seattle.”
County health officials emphasized that these services are long-standing and not connected to any recent political changes. The ABCD program began in the mid-1990s, and the adult program launched in 2022 following action by the King County Council. Both programs are supported through a combination of Medicaid, state, and local funding.
“Neither program is a response to current politics,” Pie explained. “The Adult Dental Program was founded in 2022 thanks to action from King County Council, and the Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (‘ABCD’) Program was launched originally in the mid-1990’s. The programs are supported through a mix of funding from Medicaid and local and state funding.”
Benefits of the ABCD program include up to three fluoride varnish applications per year, two family oral hygiene instruction consultations annually, and help connecting with appropriate providers.
To check eligibility or schedule an appointment, call 1-800-756-5437 or email abcd@kingcounty.gov.
