Proposed funding cuts to the Medi-Cal Dental program, which covers 15 million Californians, will decimate access to dental care in California. ACT NOW before $1 billion is cut.

Save Our Dental Care

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Unless Governor Newsom and the Legislature act, a&nbsp;$1 billion cut — one-third of the program’s funding — will take effect July 1, 2026, putting dental care out of reach for millions.&nbsp;Medi-Cal Dental serves&nbsp;15 million Californians, yet these cuts would roll funding back to&nbsp;1990s levels, forcing patients to forgo basic care, worsening overall health, and driving preventable dental emergencies into already strained ERs.The proposed cut is short-sighted, disproportionate and harmful to the state’s most vulnerable residents.

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<img src="https://run.imgix.net/b0abc0a1-91cb-4a1b-a981-7af0585e5c58/37e40c92-5253-4734-807a-48d3c02fd508/37e40c92-5253-4734-807a-48d3c02fd508.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C6000%2C4000&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="27" variant="framed"><h4>Dental funding makes up just 1.5% of Medi-Cal program funding but would take 15% of the Medi-Cal budget cuts.</h4><ul><li>While cutting $362 million in state funding, the proposed cuts leave federal matching funds on the table, including the highest 9:1 match for the ACA expansion population, costing California approximately $576 million in federal funds.</li><li>These cuts would slash the Medi-Cal Dental program to funding levels from 30+ years ago.</li><li>Reimbursement rate cuts would take dentists back to rate levels enacted in 1992. The reimbursement rate for even a basic dental cleaning would be $40, less than the cost of providing the service.</li><li>California would drop from 35th to the 48th lowest Medicaid dental rates for children in the country, ahead of only Florida and Illinois.</li><li>In a <a href="https://www.cda.org/newsroom/access-to-care/poll-nearly-half-of-medi-cal-dentists-said-they-would-disenroll-if-medi-cal-rate-cuts-take-effect-1-in-3-said-they-would-see-fewer-medi-cal-members/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">recent survey</a> of more than 1,500 Medi-Cal dentists, 49% say these cuts will force them to leave the program. Another 30% will be forced to see fewer Medi-Cal patients.</li><li>These short-term savings come with long-term costs. When adult Medi-Cal Dental coverage was eliminated in 2009, there was a 32% increase in emergency dental visits by Medi-Cal patients.</li><li>Voters overwhelmingly approved this funding by passing Proposition 56 (2016) with 64% support. These cuts defy the will of the voters.</li><li>Proposition 56 funding worked. It led to historic improvements in patient access to care and dentist participation in Medi-Cal:<ul><li>37% increase in new dental office visits by Medi-Cal patients since 2020, according to the most recent data.</li><li>34% increase in the number of Medi-Cal dental providers across the state.</li><li>40% of California dentists are now enrolled in Medi-Cal.</li></ul></li></ul>

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<h2>Poll: Nearly half of Medi-Cal dentists said they would disenroll if Medi-Cal rate cuts take effect; 1 in 3 said they would see fewer Medi-Cal members</h2>

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Cuts to the Medi-Cal Dental program will decimate access for millions in California. ACT NOW before it's too late.

Save Our Dental Care

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SACRAMENTO, CA - Today, in response to the 2026-2027 budget proposal that was unveiled this morning, the Save Our Dental Care Coalition, representing more than 50 organizations dedicated to the health and safety of children, families and communities, has issued the following response: “Today’s proposed budget, which slashes the Medi-Cal Dental program to funding levels from 30+ years ago, is not just a disappointment to the millions of Californians who rely on the program for their dental care, but a direct attack on low-income families, communities of color, children, veterans, seniors and persons with disabilities who the program is supposed to prioritize. When Medi-Cal Dental was established sixty years ago, it was to establish comprehensive health benefits for low-income residents, with the goal of giving more equitable access to health care for those who had previously gone without. These cuts signal that Californians in Medi-Cal are undeserving of core health care services that are essential to their overall health. In the coming weeks and months, as legislators consider important budget decisions, our coalition of dentists, physicians, children’s advocates, social justice organizations, civil rights groups and more will be urging restoration of the cuts that will undermine access to dental care for their constituents who need the most protections.”

“Today’s proposed budget, which slashes the Medi-Cal Dental program to funding levels from 30+ years ago, is not just a disappointment to the millions of Californians who rely on the program for their dental care, but a direct attack on low-income families, communities of color, children, veterans, seniors and persons with disabilities who the program is supposed to prioritize..."

Save Our Dental Care Coalition Responds to Release of Governor Newsom’s 2026-27 Proposed Budget

Coalition to Save Our Dental Care brings dozens of providers, labor and workforce advocates, and children’s advocacy organizations together urging lawmakers to stop the cuts that will impact millions of CaliforniansSACRAMENTO, CA - Ahead of the unveiling of the 2026-2027 state budget, more than 50 groups have joined together in support of preserving essential dental care across the state. Last year, lawmakers stayed a $1 billion cut to the program for one year, but one third of funding for the Medi-Cal Dental program is set to be eliminated on July 1, 2026, which would bring the program to 1990s funding levels and would have catastrophic impacts on millions of patients. Dental funding makes up just 1.5% of Medi-Cal program funding, but is facing 15% of Medi-Cal budget cuts. These cuts also leave federal matching funds on the table, costing California approximately $576 million. California would drop to the 48th lowest Medicaid dental reimbursement rates for children in the country. “In 2016, voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 56, which increased funding for Medi-Cal Dental and led to a historic expansion in access to care for millions of patients,” said Dr. Robert Hanlon, president of the California Dental Association. “These cuts are deeply harmful, incredibly disproportionate and defy the will of the voters. Lawmakers must treat dental care as essential health care and prevent these cuts from taking effect in the next budget.” “Western Dental has been able to open dozens of offices and provide care to millions of patients since the enactment of Prop 56. That funding has translated to real care for those who need it most,” said Peter Truong, DDS, Chief Dental Officer, Western Dental. “If the funding is eliminated as planned, many offices would be forced to evaluate their capacity, or even close, putting a strain on the state’s entire health care system.” “More than half of the state’s children rely on Medi-Cal Dental for their care, which is considered essential primary care for school-aged children. Eliminating that care for the most vulnerable children puts them at risk for more school absences, increased illness and poor health outcomes that will lead to future disadvantages,” said Eileen Espejo, Senior Managing Director, Health, Children Now. “Cuts to dental care access for kids should never have been part of budget negotiations. Lawmakers should take action to preserve dental care for children.” A full list of the coalition is here:<ul><li>Alta CA Regional Center</li><li>Association of Dental Support Organizations (ADSO)</li><li>Blue Cloud Pediatric Surgery Centers</li><li>Brite Smile Family Dentistry</li><li>California Association of Dental Plans (CADP)</li><li>California Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (CALOAMS)</li><li>California Association of Orthodontists (CAO)</li><li>California Association of Health Facilities (CAHF)</li><li>California Dental Assistants Association</li><li>California Dental Association (CDA)</li><li>California Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA)</li><li>California Hospital Association (CHA)</li><li>California Medical Association (CMA)</li><li>California Primary Care Association (CPCA)</li><li>California Society of Pediatric Dentistry (CSPD)</li><li>California School-Based Health Alliance (CSHA)</li><li>CalPACE</li><li>Cavity Free SF</li><li>Children Now</li><li>Children’s Specialty Care Coalition</li><li>Dental Dreams</li><li>Dientes Community Dental Care</li><li>DentaQuest</li><li>Family Voices of California</li><li>First 5 Sacramento</li><li>Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center</li><li>Golden Age Dental Care</li><li>Golden Gate Regional Center</li><li>HealthNet</li><li>HealthRIGHT 360</li><li>Indio Surgery Center</li><li>Jewish Vocational Services (JVS)</li><li>LeadingAge California</li><li>Liberty Dental Plan</li><li>North LA County Regional Center</li><li>North East Medical Services</li><li>North Los Angeles County Regional Center</li><li>Redwood Coast Regional Center (RCRC)</li><li>Sacramento District Dental Society</li><li>San Andreas Regional Center</li><li>San Gabriel Pomona Regional Center</li><li>San Francisco Children’s Dental</li><li>SmileBuilders Children’s Dentistry</li><li>The ARC of California</li><li>Tri-Counties Regional Center</li><li>Union of American Physician and Dentists (UADP)</li><li>University of California, Office of the President (UCOP)</li><li>University of the Pacific, Public Health Care Collaborative</li><li>Valley Mountain Regional Center</li><li>Western Dental</li><li>Westside Regional Center</li></ul>Contact: Molly Weedn <a href="mailto:molly@weednpa.com">molly@weednpa.com</a>###

Coalition to Save Our Dental Care brings dozens of providers, labor and workforce advocates, and children’s advocacy organizations together urging lawmakers to stop the cuts that will impact millions of Californians

News & Press

LA Times: My toothache led to a painful discovery: The dental care system is full of cavities as you age

Broad and Diverse Coalition of 50+ Groups Call on State Legislature and Newsom Administration to Stop Devastating $1B Cuts to Medi-Cal Dental

Save Our Dental Care Coalition Responds to Release of Governor Newsom’s 2026-27 Proposed Budget