Dear Partners,
April is Oral Health Month, making it a timely opportunity to remind families to schedule preventive dental visits and use their Medi-Cal Dental benefits. In addition to in-office care, teledentistry offers a convenient way for members to quickly connect with a dental provider, helping address concerns early and potentially avoid unnecessary emergency room (ER) visits.
With teledentistry, members can talk to a dentist by phone or video from anywhere in California, not just within their county. This can help address dental concerns early and prevent minor issues from becoming emergencies.
Why Teledentistry Matters
Many Californians seek care in ER for dental concerns that could often be addressed earlier through a dental consultation. Teledentistry offers timely guidance and can help members:
- Talk to a dentist anywhere through phone or video
- Get quick advice for dental concerns
- Catch problems early before they worsen
- Find a dental home for ongoing care
- Avoid unnecessary ER visits
Teledentistry Resources to Share with Your Community
We've created ready-to-use tools to help you promote teledentistry and connect members to care. Use these resources to spread the word in your community:
- Teledentistry Provider Directory English | Spanish
- Teledentistry Flyer: English/Spanish
- Social Media Posts: Download three ready-to-use posts in our Social Media Gallery that you can share across your channels to inform your audience about the benefits of teledentistry. These posts are designed to engage and raise awareness about this valuable service.
- Static Post: Two versions are available, one targeting families, and another focusing on an older audience.
- 5-Image Carousel Post: This format provides an interactive way to present the benefits of teledentistry, offering more information through multiple images.
- Teledentistry Video:
- Linked Button: Download the Teledentistry Flyer
- Linked Button: Watch the Teledentistry Videos
- Linked Button: Download the Social Media Posts in Our Gallery
Additional Seasonal & Family Resources
As you prepare your Oral Health Month outreach efforts, we encourage you to actively promote preventative dental visits and the use of Medi-Cal Dental benefits. The resources below are designed to support member education, address common barriers to care, and provide culturally responsive information for individuals and families across all life stages.
We recommend incorporating the following materials into your community outreach:
- Transportation Video – Helps members learn how to access free transportation to in-person appointments:
- Care for Your Smile Page – Prevention tips and oral health information: English | Spanish
- Fotonovelas – Culturally relevant, interactive oral health education materials: English/Spanish
- Is It Teething Time? Flyer and Poster – Resource for parents of infants: English | Spanish
- Pregnancy & Oral Health Resources – Information to help pregnant members protect their oral health and their baby’s health:
- Healthy Teeth for Me! – An engaging coloring activity that teaches children about healthy dental habits: Activity Storybook
These materials reinforce preventive care messaging and support families at every stage of life.
We encourage you to use these resources throughout April to promote regular dental visits, highlight teledentistry as a convenient option, and remind members to take advantage of their Medi-Cal Dental benefits.
Together, we can help members refresh their routines, protect their smiles, and avoid unnecessary ER visits.
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