Access to Baby & Child Dentistry

The Island County Access to Baby and Child Dentistry program (ABCD) focuses on preventive and restorative dental care for Medicaid-eligible children. Our goal is "First Tooth, First Birthday, First Dental Exam" by a dentist or a doctor, as recommended by the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

For services, please complete our Referral Form.

ABCD Eligibility

• Do you have any children 5 years old or younger?
• Are they enrolled in Medicaid or do they have medical coupons or a ProviderOne service card?

If you answered yes to all of the above questions then your child is eligible for the program and ABCD staff will make every effort to find the right dentist for you.

Program Benefits

• Increased access to dental care for Island County residents
• Increased number of dental services:
  • 3 fluoride varnish applications per year
  • 2 Family Oral Hygiene Instruction consultations per year
• Assistance in finding a dentist that will fit your location, timing, and language preferences
• Assistance in coordinating transportation to and from the dental office
• Assistance in coordinating interpreter services for the dental visit

About the ABCD program

In 1994, a group of concerned dentists, dental educators, public health agencies, the state dental association, and State Medicaid representatives came together to address the problem of the severe lack of dental access by Washington State's high-risk preschool children. The proposed solution was the development of the ABCD Program.

The first ABCD program opened for enrollment in Spokane, Washington in February 1995 as a collaborative effort between several partners in the public and private sectors. Its success has led other county dental societies and health districts in Washington to adopt the program, as well as prompted interest from other states.