How to find and verify a Medicaid dentist in Denver

What “accepts Medicaid” means before you book

Colorado’s Medicaid program is called Health First Colorado, and DentaQuest administers the dental benefit. A dentist or practice may participate while appointment availability, locations served, patient ages, and services vary.

When you call an office, share the member’s program and the type of care needed. Ask the team to verify active benefits, the exact treating dentist and address, whether the office can provide the service, and any authorization requirements. Star Dental accepts Health First Colorado for adults and children at its Denver office and is one local option; DentaQuest’s directory is the official starting point for comparing enrolled providers.

A Denver appointment option for adults and children

Star Dental is located at 1490 S Sheridan Blvd, Unit 102, Denver, CO 80232. The practice publishes hours of 7 a.m.–8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m.–5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, and says the location has free onsite parking, wheelchair accessibility, and Spanish-speaking staff.

Star Dental accepts Health First Colorado for adults and children at its Denver office. Call 303-222-1414 to ask about appointment availability and reserve a time before coming in. The team can check the care you need, the treating provider and your current benefits.

Dr. Florina Menina, DDS, is Star Dental’s owner and a general dentist. Her practice profile explains her education and approach to care; ask the office which dentist will see you. The practice’s patient-experiences page includes selected reviews and links to review platforms.

You can call Star Dental even if you do not know your Medicaid member number. Bring photo identification and any insurance information available; the team can help look up eligibility information. For a confirmed first visit, the office asks patients to arrive 10–15 minutes early to complete paperwork at the office.

A five-question booking checklist

1. 1

   Are you accepting new Health First Colorado patients?

   Say Health First Colorado or DentaQuest, not only “Medicaid,” and name the person who needs care.

2. 2

   Is this exact office enrolled?

   Network participation can be tied to the dentist and service location. Verify the address where the appointment will occur.

3. 3

   Can you see me for this problem?

   Describe whether you need a routine exam, children's visit, denture care, tooth removal, or urgent evaluation without trying to diagnose yourself.

4. 4

   Will you verify benefits first?

   Ask the office to check active eligibility, frequency limits, annual limits, and any prior-authorization requirement.

5. 5

   What should I bring?

   Usually your member ID, photo identification if available, medication list, relevant records, and the name of any referring dentist.

Use the official directory as your starting point

DentaQuest's directory and member portal are the authoritative tools for network and Dental Home information.

• Search near your Denver ZIP code and filter for the age group or service you need.
• Call the office because online directories can lag behind scheduling changes.
• If you cannot find care, call DentaQuest at the number on your member materials for appointment help.
• For severe swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, or trouble breathing or swallowing, use the emergency guidance instead of waiting for a routine slot.

Search Denver and nearby cities without relying on a city list

The Health First Colorado dental network is statewide, so the safest local strategy is to search by the ZIP code where you can realistically travel and then widen the radius. A page naming a city cannot establish that a dentist is enrolled, provides the needed service, or has an opening.

Denver-area searches commonly include Denver County; Lakewood, Wheat Ridge, Arvada, and Golden in Jefferson County; Aurora, Englewood, Littleton, and Centennial in Arapahoe County; Thornton, Northglenn, Westminster, and Commerce City in Adams County; and communities in Douglas, Boulder, Broomfield, Larimer, and Weld counties. Search the actual appointment address and call the exact office rather than assuming a nearby city name means network participation.

• Try your home ZIP code first, then increase the search radius if the result list is short.
• Filter for the patient age and service, but confirm those details by phone because directory data can lag.
• Ask how soon the office can see a new patient and whether it maintains a cancellation list.
• If repeated calls do not produce an appointment, contact DentaQuest for network assistance and document the offices and dates you tried.

When the recommended care requires a dental specialist

Some treatment plans involve a pediatric dentist, oral surgeon, endodontist, periodontist, orthodontist, dental anesthesiologist, or a facility that can provide a higher level of support. A general dentist may help identify the type of specialist, but a referral or recommendation does not itself establish coverage or prior authorization.

Search the DentaQuest network for the specialty and the member's age, then verify the exact dentist and location. Ask whether the office provides the recommended service, is taking new Health First Colorado patients, needs records or a referral, and will submit any required authorization documentation.

• Oral surgery: extractions and other surgical evaluation
• Endodontics: root-canal and tooth-pulp treatment
• Periodontics: gum and bone evaluation and treatment
• Orthodontics: medically necessary bite or jaw treatment for member groups whose plan includes it
• Pediatric dentistry: age-focused care; confirm the dentist's ages served and current availability
• Sedation or facility care: confirm both the treating dental provider and any anesthesia or facility requirements

Prepare the office for anxiety, disability, or caregiver support

When calling the office, describe any communication, sensory, mobility, consent, or caregiver support you need. The team can discuss arrangements to help you prepare for the visit.

Ask for a coverage conversation before treatment

A covered category does not make every proposed procedure payable. Age, diagnosis, medical necessity, service history, benefit-year spending, frequency rules, prior authorization, and the billing code can all matter.

Talk through your treatment options with the dental team. The office can check your benefits and submit any required documentation to Health First Colorado or DentaQuest for a coverage decision.