Millions of patients will lose access to dental care while the state risks driving patients into more costly emergency rooms 

Sacramento, CA - The Save Our Dental Care Coalition, representing more than 100 organizations, issued the following statement in response to the revised state budget, released today: 

“While we understand that the state is facing challenging economic times, one thing is certain: removing access to Medi-Cal Dental is not a cost saver, and in fact, will result in more expensive dental care that will cost the state more in the long run. 

For too long, California has balanced the budget on the backs of the most vulnerable. By slashing voter-approved funding, patients will be left without care and providers will have to reduce services and in some regions, close their doors. 

Proposition 56 provided critically important funding that allowed dental offices to open and patients to get the care they need and deserve. Gutting that funding will have a real impact on millions of Californians. 

Since the initial budget was released in January, the Department of Health Care Services has gone on the record saying that,  “Dental problems don’t just cause pain—they interrupt learning, impact confidence, and widen achievement gaps…” And, an analysis from the California Department of Health Care Access and Information shows that people who can’t see a dentist for routine care often wait until the pain becomes unbearable and end up in the emergency room. But emergency rooms can only treat the symptoms—not the underlying dental problem—making this a more expensive and less effective form of care. 

Our coalition appreciates the Senate and the Assembly’s commitment to prioritizing oral health in their respective budget blueprints and we look forward to continuing those talks to ensure that Medi-Cal Dental cuts are eliminated and access to care is preserved in the final state budget.”

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