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Medi-Cal Dental Coverage

Understanding Medi-Cal Dental Coverage

black couple smiling

Do you want a healthy smile for years to come? Good news – you’re covered. The Medi-Cal Dental Program (Medi-Cal Dental) covers many dental services for those who get Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program. That means you can enjoy this benefit with Medi-Cal at little to no cost.

 

You can get dental care at any Medi-Cal dentist in California. To find a dentist near you, head to www.smilecalifornia.org or call 1-800-322-6384.

 

From there, call the dentist’s office to set up your visit. A beaming smile awaits.

Does Medi-Cal cover dental services?

 

Yes, Medi-Cal covers dental care through Medi-Cal Dental. As a Medi-Cal member, you can enjoy this benefit at little to no cost to you.

 

Set up a visit with a Medi-Cal dentist to start using your dental benefit. Your dentist will let you know your best form of treatment under Medi-Cal Dental coverage.

 

If you have any questions or need help finding a dentist, call Medi-Cal Dental at 1-800-322-6384 or visit www.smilecalifornia.org.

What dental services does Medi-Cal cover?

 

Medi-Cal Dental coverage includes:

  • Diagnostic and preventive dental hygiene (e.g., examinations, x-rays, and teeth cleanings)
  • Emergency services for pain control
  • Tooth extractions
  • Fillings
  • Root canal treatments (anterior/posterior)
  • Crowns (prefabricated/laboratory)
  • Scaling and root planing
  • Periodontal maintenance
  • Complete and partial dentures; and
  • Orthodontics for kids who qualify

Does Medi-Cal cover root canals?

 

Yes, Medi-Cal Dental will cover both anterior and posterior root canals.

Does Medi-Cal cover braces?

 

Medi-Cal Dental will cover orthodontics (braces) for children who qualify.

Why would I need dental insurance?

 

Your dental health plays a large role in your overall health and even links to other body parts, such as the heart. It’s vital to visit the dentist on a routine basis to stay healthy.

 

With that said, dental work can be pricy. It gets even pricier as our teeth and gums weaken with age. Medi-Cal Dental helps all Medi-Cal members save money on preventive and restorative dental work.

Here’s why dental health insurance matters:

  • Insurance pays for costly dental care.
    • For some people, dental care means two visits a year for checkups and teeth cleaning. For others, it means thousands of dollars in restorative surgery bills. Whether you brush your teeth three times a day or not, dental problems can come without notice. To avoid paying for pricy dental bills, apply for Medi-Cal coverage and visit a Medi-Cal dentist. Medi-Cal will pay some or all of the costs of your dental work.
  • It helps you keep up great oral health and hygiene.
    • The best way to save money on dental bills is to keep up the overall health of your mouth.  Medi-Cal Dental covers routine checkups* to take care of your oral health.
  •  It sets your kids up for healthy dental habits.
    • According to the Pew Center on the States, about 20% of a child's healthcare expenses come from dental costs.
    • Tooth decay is one of the most common and preventable childhood diseases. It's five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than fever for kids in the U.S.
    • In fact, 20% of kids 0-5 don’t get yearly dental checkups. Kids with oral health problems have a hard time learning in school. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that kids lose over 51 million school hours per year due to dental issues.

How do I apply for Medi-Cal Dental coverage?

If you have Medi-Cal, you will be able to use your dental benefits at any Medi-Cal Dental provider in California. There’s no extra application needed. All you need to do is set up a visit and show your Medi-Cal card when you’re there.

 

To apply to Medi-Cal, call us at 1-866-294-IEHP (4347), Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. TTY users should call 1-800-720-IEHP (4347). You can also call Health Care Options at 1-800-430-4263 or visit www.healthcareoptions.dhcs.ca.gov. TTY users should call 1-800-430-7077.

 

At IEHP, we are happy to answer any questions you may have about Medi-Cal dental coverage. We can also help you apply for Medi-Cal online. 

 

*For more info on guidelines and coverage for Medi-Cal Dental age groups, please visit the Covered Services section on the Smile California website. By clicking on this link, you will be leaving the IEHP DualChoice website.