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.”