California Medicaid Dental Coverage
Updated August 2026
California's Medicaid dental program is officially called Medi-Cal Dental, though many Californians still know it by its older name, Denti-Cal. DHCS administers the program through a fee-for-service (FFS) system statewide and dental managed care plans in Los Angeles and Sacramento counties only.
$1,800/year
Adult annual dental benefit cap
No cap
Children (under 19) and pregnant members
July 1, 2027
Coverage change for some adults
(800) 322-6384
Medi-Cal Dental member line
Dental benefit cuts have been delayed to July 1, 2027
Per DHCS, the effective date for Medi-Cal's adult dental benefit changes has been delayed from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2027. Starting July 1, 2027, adults ages 19 and older who do not qualify for federal full-scope Medi-Cal will lose comprehensive dental coverage and receive emergency dental services only. This change is based on immigration status. Protected groups — pregnant members, individuals in their first year postpartum, former foster youth under 26 who were in foster care on their 18th birthday, and children under 19 — retain full dental benefits regardless of immigration status. Until July 1, 2027, all Medi-Cal adults keep full dental benefits. Check dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal-dental-benefit-changes/ for the complete list of affected and protected groups.
Medi-Cal dental coverage: what California covers
California expanded adult dental benefits significantly in January 2022, restoring comprehensive coverage that had been cut in 2009 during the budget crisis. That 2022 restoration means adult Medi-Cal members now have access to a much broader set of dental services than they did for more than a decade.
There is an annual benefit cap for adults: Medi-Cal Dental pays up to $1,800 per year for covered services, per Smile California (DHCS's official outreach program). Two exceptions exist: pregnant Medi-Cal members may qualify for no annual cap, and services that exceed $1,800 can still be covered if medically necessary. Children under 19 have no annual cap — the EPSDT mandate requires all medically necessary dental services regardless of cost.
What Medi-Cal dental covers for adults
The following services are covered under Medi-Cal Dental for eligible adults, per DHCS. Some services require prior authorization from the dental office or DHCS. Coverage for members affected by the delayed benefit changes will be limited to emergency services only starting July 1, 2027.
- Dental examinations — every 12 months
- Dental X-rays for diagnosis
- Teeth cleanings (prophylaxis) — every 12 months
- Scaling and root planing for periodontal disease
- Fluoride varnish application — every 12 months
- Fillings (composite and amalgam)
- Crowns — both prefabricated and laboratory-fabricated, for qualifying teeth
- Root canal treatments — anterior and posterior (California covers both, unlike some states that cover anterior only)
- Periodontal maintenance
- Complete and partial dentures
- Denture relines
- Tooth extractions, including surgical extractions
- Emergency services for acute dental pain and infection
- Sedation when medically necessary
- Orthodontics for children who qualify (EPSDT eligibility)
Fee-for-service vs. dental managed care: which applies to you?
Most California Medi-Cal members receive dental services through the fee-for-service (FFS) system. Under FFS, any Medi-Cal Dental participating dentist in the state can treat you and bill DHCS directly.
Members in Los Angeles County and Sacramento County may be enrolled in a Dental Managed Care (DMC) plan instead. DMC plans have their own provider networks. Per DHCS and Smile California, members in those counties can choose to stay in FFS or enroll in a DMC plan. Beginning July 1, 2025, plan changes were implemented in both counties — some members were required to move to a new DMC plan. If you are in LA or Sacramento County and are unsure which system you are in, call the Medi-Cal Dental Member Customer Service line.
Contact for all Medi-Cal Dental questions: (800) 322-6384 (Monday–Friday). DHCS also covers transportation to dental appointments — call the same number to arrange a ride.
How to find a Medi-Cal dentist in California
Use the DHCS provider directory at dental.dhcs.ca.gov to search by zip code, specialty, and whether a provider is accepting new Medi-Cal patients. The Smile California site at smilecalifornia.org — DHCS's official member outreach site — also includes a dentist finder and age-segmented coverage information.
Always call the dental office before scheduling to confirm they are currently accepting new Medi-Cal patients. Directories can lag actual enrollment status by weeks.
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) must accept Medi-Cal and typically offer comprehensive dental care.
Medi-Cal
- Medi-Cal Dental member line: (800) 322-6384
- Medi-Cal Dental provider directory: dental.dhcs.ca.gov
- Smile California (member outreach & dentist finder): smilecalifornia.org
- HRSA Health Center Finder (FQHC dental): findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov
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The services every state must cover, plus benefits that vary by state.
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How to find a Medicaid doctor near you through your state's provider directory.
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