Dear Partners,
Medi-Cal Dental benefits are changing on July 1, 2026, for some adult members based on immigration status. For more details on which populations will be affected, please see the Immigration Status and Changes to Medi-Cal Eligibility chart and the Medi-Cal Dental Benefit Changes webpage, which includes Frequently Asked Questions.
What is Changing?
Starting July 1, 2026, some Medi-Cal members will stop getting full-scope dental services as part of their Medi-Cal coverage. Please see these Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
WHO THIS APPLIES TO:
- View the Immigration Status Categories chart to see who is subject to changes to dental coverage.
IMPORTANT TO KNOW:
- Members affected by the changes can still get care for emergency dental needs, including serious tooth pain, infections, and tooth extractions, and can still get full-scope dental through fee-for-service Medi-Cal dental providers, regardless of their immigration status, if they are:
- A former foster youth under age 26 who was in foster care on your 18th birthday.
- Pregnant (including for one year after your pregnancy ends).
How Partners Can Help
Partners play an important role in helping members understand upcoming Medi-Cal Dental changes and encouraging them to use their benefits before June 30. For members that are impacted by the upcoming changes, we encourage you to share clear, action-oriented messaging to:
- Share information about the upcoming July 1, 2026, Medi-Cal changes.
- Schedule a dental appointment as soon as possible
- Complete any recommended treatments before June 30, 2026
- Use the Find a Dentist tool to locate a provider: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/Pages/MediCalDental.aspx
- Review covered services and prioritize any needed care before benefits change
- Visit SmileCalifornia.org and SonrieCalifornia.org for updates
- Contact their local Medi-Cal county office if they are unsure if they affected by the changes or if they have any questions. They can find their local Medi-Cal county office using the office locator tool: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/CountyOffices.aspx
You can include messaging in:
- Community presentations
- Waiting room signage
- Reminder calls, texts, or emails
- Newsletters or e-blasts
- Social media posts
- Outreach events or resource fairs.
Partner Resources
To support your outreach efforts, Smile, California has launched a 2026 Medi-Cal Dental Changes landing page with bilingual outreach materials, including:
- One-page explainer
- “What Is a Dental Emergency?” flyer
- Short explainer video outlining the 2026 updates
- Social media graphics and short video content
- Member education presentation
- Provider-focused flyer
Stay Connected with Smile, California
We'd love to see how you're using Smile, California resources. Share photos or posts on Facebook or Instagram and tag us with #SmileCalifornia for a chance to be featured on our accounts!
Need ready-to-use content for your channels? Our Social Media Gallery offers English and Spanish posts featuring dental tips, Medi-Cal Dental benefits, and oral health reminders—download and share them with your community!
Also, remind your community about the Medi-Cal Dental Member Handbook, available in 19 languages. This comprehensive guide explains dental benefits, how to access care, and the resources available to members.
Access the Member Handbook here.
If you have questions about the resources mentioned or the Smile, California campaign, simply respond to this email or contact us at [email protected] or [email protected]. We’re here to help our valued partners and always welcome your suggestions and feedback!
To get in touch with a Member or Provider Outreach Representative, you can also email [email protected]. Want to know who represents your county for Smile, California outreach? View our Member and Provider Outreach Map to connect with your local representative and see how we’re supporting communities across the state. Access the Outreach Map here.
Smile On,
The Smile, California Team