Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program is cutting back on dental benefits for “unsatisfactory” immigration status, according to a March 22 report from The Intersection.
Currently, the program’s dental coverage provides diagnostic and preventive care, fillings and tooth extractions and more complex needs such as root canals, crowns and dentures.
Starting July 1, undocumented adult Medi-Cal patients will only be able to receive emergency dental care, according to the California Department of Health Care Services.
The cuts are projected to save the state about $308 million in the 2026-27 budget year, and $336 million each year after that.
The California Dental Association has warned that slashes to the program could cause major issues in the long-term, as patients could be forced to emergency rooms for dental care that is preventable.
California has about 30,000 dentists, and about 40% of dentists in the state accept Medicaid. According to a recent survey from the CDA, 49% of dentists who accept Medicaid would leave the program and 30% said they would see fewer Medicaid patients if the proposed cuts go through.
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