By Dr. Farida Fanuswala, DDS | Always Smile Dental Care, North Brunswick, NJ
A father came in last year with his teenage son. The boy had a toothache that had been building for weeks. When I asked why they waited so long, the father said they weren’t sure their insurance would cover it — and his son was terrified of the dentist.
The insurance was NJ Medicaid. It covered the visit just fine. But by the time they found us, a small cavity had become something that required much more extensive treatment — and a lot more time in the chair.
I tell this story because it is the most common story I hear in this office. And it is happening all across North Brunswick and New Brunswick — in homes where families have insurance on paper and still cannot find a dentist who will see them.
There is a quiet crisis happening in communities like ours. Families have health insurance on paper. But when they pick up the phone, they discover that insurance is nearly useless for finding a dentist who will actually see them.
The Problem Nobody Talks About
NJ Medicaid — known as NJ FamilyCare — covers approximately 1.9 million New Jersey residents, including children, working adults, seniors, and people with disabilities. The coverage includes cleanings, fillings, extractions, and more. On paper, it is comprehensive.
But finding a dentist who accepts it is another matter.
Only a fraction of New Jersey’s nearly 9,000 licensed dentists accept NJ Medicaid patients. Of those who do, many are not accepting new patients, have long waits, or are located far from the communities that need them most. A family that calls an office asking “do you take Medicaid?” and hears “yes” may still be turned away once the details are sorted out.
Here in Middlesex County, the gap between who has insurance and who can actually use it falls sharply along economic lines.
There is also the simple reality that many families delay going altogether — out of fear, out of the belief that if nothing hurts, nothing is wrong. By the time something does hurt, a small problem has usually become a large one. That cycle is most punishing for families already struggling to navigate a system that was not built with them in mind.
What You Can Do
If you or someone you know has NJ Medicaid and is struggling to find a dentist, here is where to start:
Ask the right question. When you call a dental office, do not just ask “do you accept Medicaid?” Ask: “Are you currently accepting new NJ Medicaid patients?” The distinction matters — some offices are enrolled but not taking new patients.
Call 211. New Jersey’s helpline can connect you with Federally Qualified Health Centers in Middlesex County that provide dental care regardless of which Medicaid plan you have — or even if you are uninsured.
Know your rights. NJ Medicaid covers a broad range of dental services for eligible residents of all ages — not just emergencies. If you have been told your coverage does not apply, ask for clarification in writing and consider calling NJ Medicaid directly at 1-800-701-0710.
Contact your state representative. Expanding dentist participation in NJ Medicaid is a policy decision made in Trenton. Residents who raise this issue with their legislators make a difference.
At Always Smile Dental Care, we accept NJ Medicaid and welcome patients of all ages — children, working adults, and seniors alike — because we believe that where you live or what insurance card you carry should not determine whether you get dental care. We are one practice in one town. That is not enough — but it is a start.
If you have been told “no” before, call us. We will do our best to say yes.
Dr. Farida Fanuswala, DDS, is a general dentist and owner of Always Smile Dental Care, located at 2000 NJ-27, North Brunswick Township, NJ 08902. The practice accepts NJ Medicaid and most major insurance plans. New patients are welcome. To schedule an appointment, call 732-633-2255 or visit alwayssmiledentalcare.com
