Finding Dental Services

Californians may access oral health care and dental services in a variety of ways.  These resources will help you enroll in dental insurance plans and find a dentist that accepts your insurance coverage.

Medi-Cal Dental Insurance

California’s form of Medicaid, known as Medi-Cal, provides free or low-cost health coverage for children, pregnant women, and adults with limited incomes and resources.  Dental services are currently provided as one of the many benefits under the Medi-Cal program. Medi-Cal’s dental coverage is known as Denti-Cal. Medi-Cal’s open enrollment is continuous, meaning you can at any time by visiting Covered California. If your Medi-Cal application is accepted, you will automatically be enrolled in both Medi-Cal and Denti-Cal.

Once enrolled in Medi-Cal or the Child Health and Disability Prevention Program, you can find a dentist that accepts Denti-Cal insurance coverage through this web site Smile California

Medi-Cal members can also call the California Department of Health Care Services’ Beneficiary Customer Service Line at 1-800-322-6384 if they are having problems finding a dentist.

Persons without Dental Insurance

Federally Qualified Health Centers and other community clinics can provide care for you, even if you do not have health insurance. You pay for services based on your income.

• Federally Qualified Health Center: Find a health center near you that provides dental services. Narrow down search results by entering your address, state, or county.
  

Dental schools and dental hygiene schools often have clinics that allow dental students to gain experience treating patients while providing care at a reduced cost.

• National Institute of Health: Find dental care through a local dental school or local dental hygiene school.

Covered CA Insurers

Family and adult dental benefits may be purchased directly through your employer. You can purchase dental insurance through Covered California if your employer does not offer dental insurance coverage. Covered California is the marketplace for people and small businesses to find out if they are eligible for federal premium assistance to buy health insurance, including dental coverage, under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. 

• Covered California:  All Californians can sign up for dental insurance during the annual open-enrollment period, which begins in the fall. Many others may be eligible to sign up at any time during the year due to a life-changing event such as getting married, having a child or moving.

Once you are enrolled in a dental insurance plan, you can find a dentist that accepts your insurance coverage by visiting your health plan’s website.