MCOH Model: Advancing Access to Care through Medicaid
Presented by Jessica Emmerich, Amanda Fahrendorf, and Monica Turner
Session Overview: This presentation explains the unique MCOH Model and how it has been utilized to increase dental provider participation in MO Medicaid. MO HealthNet will share new data to shows the recent successes as well as the challenges that still exist. This session will also include Oral Health Kansas, who recently adopted the MCOH Model in an effort to replicate Missouri’s success. Oral Health Kansas will share how the model has been implemented, their successes, and lessons learned.
Learning Objectives:
Attendees will be able to identify the essential pieces of the MCOH Model and how they have been used in Missouri.
Attendees will see an example of the MCOH Model being used in other states.
Attendees will be provided recent data that supports the success of the MCOH Model as well as being able to identify challenges that need to be addressed.
Jessica Emmerich
Executive Director, Missouri Coalition for Oral Health
Jessica Emmerich was appointed Executive Director in December 2025. In 2022, Jessica was named the first Dental Medicaid Facilitator at MCOH. In this role, Ms. Emmerich collaborated with MO HealthNet and the Missouri Dental Association to support dental providers and encourage greater participation by providers in MO HealthNet programs. Her career includes service with the State of Missouri in both the Department of Social Services, MO HealthNet Division and Children’s Division, where she played an integral role in assisting dental providers and MO HealthNet participants throughout implementation of the Statewide Managed Care Roll Out. Ms. Emmerich brings substantial expertise in collaborating with MO HealthNet providers within both fee-for-service and managed care frameworks. She also offers dedicated support to dental practices statewide and actively works to improve access to care by addressing existing barriers. Jessica previously held the position of Operations Manager at the Coalition for several years prior to her advancement to her current role.
Jessica, a native of rural Northwest Missouri, recognizes the significance of expanding access to oral health care services throughout the state. She currently resides on a farm in Central Missouri with her husband and three children.
Amanda Fahrendorf
Education and Collaboration Manager, MO HealthNet Division (MHD), Department of Social Services (DSS)
Amanda Fahrendorf serves as the Education and Collaboration Manager within the MO HealthNet Division (MHD) at the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS). She has dedicated 22 years to DSS, with 15 of those years focused on MO HealthNet.
Amanda oversees education and training resources for all MHD programs and frequently speaks at events and conferences on Missouri Medicaid policy and initiatives. Over the past 3 years, she has led provider recruitment efforts, with a special emphasis on dental providers. Amanda is recognized as an expert in complex Medicaid inquiries and actively participates in committees and workgroups addressing maternal and infant health, provider recruitment, and access to care. Through these roles, she has built strong relationships with providers and partners to improve education and streamline processes for better service delivery.
Amanda’s leadership and contributions have earned her multiple honors, including the Professional and Leadership Development Award from DSS for three consecutive years. In March 2024, she received the Oral Health Champion Award from the Missouri Coalition for Oral Health for her work in expanding access to dental care. She also serves as a State Director on the National Board of the Medicaid | Medicare | CHIP Services Dental Association (MSDA).
Amanda holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from William Woods University (2009) and recently earned a Public Health Workforce Preparedness Certificate from A.T. Still University’s College of Graduate Health Studies. She is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health degree.
Monica Turner, MHA
Project Coordinator, Oral Health Kansas
Monica Turner serves as Project Coordinator for the Pathways to Oral Health initiative, where she helps lead efforts to expand access to dental care for underserved Kansans.
Monica brings more than 20 years of experience in the dental field, having previously managed a busy endodontic practice. Her hands-on knowledge of how dental offices operate — from patient care to the business side of practice — gives her a practical, real-world perspective on the challenges providers face and the solutions that truly make a difference.
Originally trained in healthcare, Monica earned her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy and has worked across a variety of healthcare settings. She recently completed her Master of Health Administration at Wichita State University (December 2024), where her interest for improving access to care for underrepresented populations grew even stronger. Today, she channels that interest into building partnerships and systems that make dental care more accessible for individuals with disabilities, low-income families, and rural communities.
Monica lives in Wichita with her husband and is the proud mom of three adult children. Outside of work, you’ll most likely find her enjoying the outdoors getting in a good workout.