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Library: Policy

317:30-5-707. Portable Dental Units

Revised 11-4-22

(a) Definition. Portable dental unit means a non-facility in which dental equipment used in the practice of dentistry is transported to and used on a temporary basis at an out-of-office location at either group homes for juveniles or public and private schools.

(b) Eligible providers.  For dental services provided at a portable dental unit to be eligible for SoonerCare reimbursement, a dental group shall meet all applicable requirements set forth in the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry rules, the Oklahoma State Dental Act (59 O.S., Ch. 7), and the requirements in this Section, including but not limited to, all licensing and permitting requirements.

(1) All dentists working at a portable dental unit shall be currently licensed in good standing with the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry.  All other contracted providers of the dental group, working at a portable dental unit, shall meet all credentialing/certification requirements, as per their specialty. In addition, all members of the dental group working at a portable dental unit shall comply with the requirements at Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 317:30-5-695.

(2) The license or permit (or a photocopy of the license or permit) of every individual provider shall be prominently displayed at the portable dental unit site, pursuant to Title of 59 O.S. ' 328.21.

(3) In accordance with OAC 317:30-5-695.1, every dental group providing services at a portable dental unit must be fully contracted with the OHCA as a dental group provider.

(4) Every individual dentist practicing at a portable dental unit must be fully contracted with the OHCA as a dentist.

(5) Dental groups and individual providers providing dental services at a portable dental unit shall comply with all state and federal Medicaid laws, including, but not limited to, OHCA administrative rules, the Code of Federal Regulations, and the Oklahoma State Medicaid Plan.

(c) Coverage. Portable dental unit services are only available for SoonerCare-eligible individuals under the age of twenty-one (21) and limited to the services noted in (1) through (3) of this Subsection. All portable dental units must have a SoonerCare-contracted, Oklahoma-licensed dentist onsite to supervise all other portable dental unit staff. Coverage for dental services provided to children/adolescents at a portable dental unit is limited to:

(1) One (1) fluoride application per member per twelve (12) months;

(2) One (1) dental screening annually that is performed by a SoonerCare-contracted, Oklahoma-licensed dentist; and

(3) Dental sealants on tooth numbers 2, 3, 14, 15, 18, 19, 30, and 31. The OHCA will not reimburse the application of dental sealants for a given OHCA member more than once every thirty-six (36) months, regardless of whether the services are provided at a portable dental unit, or at some other authorized place of service.

(d) Post Care.  Each member receiving dental care at a portable dental unit must receive an information sheet at the end of the visit. The information sheet must contain:

(1) The name of the dentist, dental hygienist, and/or dental assistant who provided the dental services at the portable dental unit;

(2) A valid business telephone number and/or other emergency contact number for the dental group and/or dentist that provided the dental services at the portable dental unit;

(3) A listing of the treatment rendered, including, when applicable, billing codes, fees, and tooth numbers;

(4) A description of any follow-up treatment that is needed or recommended; and

(5) Referrals to specialists or other dentists if the portable dental unit providers were unable to provide the necessary treatment and/or additional care is needed. 

(e) Billing. Refer to OAC 317:30-5-704 through 317:30-5-705 for billing instructions and guidelines. Please note that for any dental service provided through a portable dental unit that is billed to SoonerCare, the appropriate place of service must be identified on the claim to receive reimbursement.

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