Medi-Cal Dental in California

If you have full Medi-Cal, you already have Medi-Cal Dental, even with Medicare, and there's no separate form. It pays for most everyday dental care at a dentist who takes Medi-Cal, and your county decides if you get Medi-Cal. A sore tooth or broken denture can make eating hard.

For Medicare's own rules, see does Medicare cover dental.

You may qualify if

• You live in California and have full Medi-Cal, or can get it.
• You're 65 or older, and your countable income is under $1,836 a month, or $2,490 for a couple (from April 1, 2026).
• Your savings are under $130,000, or $195,000 for a couple, through June 30, 2027. Your home and main car don't count.

Not sure you qualify? Apply anyway, because the county makes the call and some of your income may not count. If you would rather not do it alone, a Pair Team advocate can check with you in one call.

What Medi-Cal Dental pays for

Smile California, the state's Medi-Cal Dental site, lists these for people 55 and older.

Is there a yearly limit on Medi-Cal dental?

Yes, there's a yearly limit, but your dentist can ask for more. For adults 21 and older, Medi-Cal pays up to $1,800 in dental claims each calendar year. After that, your dentist must send a request showing the care is medically needed, and Medi-Cal can approve more. The limit starts over each January.

Some care does not count toward the $1,800 at all, state law says. That includes emergency care, dentures, some jaw surgery, and care you get while living in a nursing home.

I have Medicare. Do I still get Medi-Cal Dental?

Yes, Medi-Cal can cover dental care Medicare does not, even if you have a Medicare Advantage plan, Smile California says.

• Medi-Medi Plan: California's Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) says these plans may add extra dental coverage on top of Medi-Cal.
• PACE: The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) coordinates your dental care along with your other care, DHCS says.
• A Medicare Savings Program only: It pays Medicare costs, but without full Medi-Cal, there's no Medi-Cal Dental.

For the income and savings rules, see Medicare and Medi-Cal together.

How to get dental care

1. Use Find a Dentist at smilecalifornia.org, which also lists clinics and dentists who see you by video. Or call Medi-Cal Dental at 1-800-322-6384 (TTY 1-800-735-2922) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.
2. Check your county's rules. In Sacramento County, Medi-Cal dental care comes through a dental plan, and if you don't pick one, one is picked for you. In San Mateo County, it comes through the Health Plan of San Mateo. In Los Angeles County, you can pick a dental plan or stay in regular Medi-Cal Dental. To choose, call Health Care Options at 1-800-430-4263.
3. Bring your cards: your Medi-Cal card, a photo ID, your Medicare card and any dental plan card.
4. Let the dentist ask for approval. If Medi-Cal says no or changes what was asked for, you get a Notice of Action in the mail.
5. Not on Medi-Cal yet? Apply at BenefitsCal.com or at your county office, and dental comes with it.

If Medi-Cal Dental says no

Ask your dentist to send the request again with more records. You can also ask for a state hearing within 90 days of the notice. Call the State Hearings Division at 1-800-743-8525. To file a complaint about a dentist or a denial, call Medi-Cal Dental at 1-800-322-6384. Dental plan members can also call the Medi-Cal Ombudsman at 1-888-452-8609.

What changed recently

• July 1, 2025: Dental plan choices changed in Sacramento and Los Angeles counties. Benefits stayed the same, DHCS says.
• January 1, 2026: Medi-Cal counts savings again for people 65 and older. If you lose Medi-Cal, you lose Medi-Cal Dental too.
• July 1, 2027: The savings limit drops to $21,000 for one person and $31,000 for two, DHCS says.
• July 1, 2027: Medi-Cal will stop paying for routine dental care for some adults 19 and older, based on immigration status. Emergency care stays covered. DHCS delayed this change from 2026. It does not affect people whose immigration status qualifies for federal Medi-Cal.

What a Pair Team advocate does

When someone calls us about a tooth, getting to the dentist is often part of the problem. Sometimes the Medi-Cal renewal is due the same month. This is what we do:

• Check that your Medi-Cal is active and includes Medi-Cal Dental, in one phone call.
• Find a dentist who takes Medi-Cal and has openings, and book the visit.
• Set up a Medi-Cal ride to the dentist. Medi-Cal rides cover dental visits, DHCS says.
• Help with your renewal and the bank statements the county now asks for, plus food, utilities and housing.

An advocate is covered by Medicare if you qualify. It takes two minutes to find out.

Check if you qualify for a Pair Team advocate

Frequently asked questions

Is Denti-Cal the same as Medi-Cal Dental?

Yes, Denti-Cal is the old name for what the state now calls Medi-Cal Dental.

Does Medi-Cal cover dental implants for seniors?

Medi-Cal rarely covers implants, and Smile California doesn't list them for older adults. They may be approved for special medical reasons, but your dentist has to ask first.

What counts as a dental emergency?

A dental emergency includes bleeding in your mouth that won't stop, painful swelling, and a toothache or jaw pain, DHCS says. A broken or knocked-out tooth counts, and so does an infection with pain or swelling. Any dentist who takes Medi-Cal can treat an emergency.

Can a family member call Medi-Cal Dental for me?

Yes, if you name them as your authorized representative on a Medi-Cal Dental form. They can help with bills, appointments and your dental records. You can change or remove them at any time.

My Medicare Advantage plan has dental. Will Medi-Cal pay too?

Yes, Medi-Cal pays for care it covers. Your Medicare plan pays first, and Medi-Cal pays last, so show your dentist both cards.

Sources

• Medi-Cal Dental, DHCS
• Medi-Cal Dental Benefit Changes, Frequently Asked Questions, DHCS
• Dental Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan Transition, DHCS
• Medi-Medi Plans, DHCS
• Transportation Services, DHCS
• Asset Limit Frequently Asked Questions, DHCS
• Covered Services: Seniors (55+), Smile California
• Find a Dentist, Smile California
• Hearing Requests, California Department of Social Services
• Welfare and Institutions Code section 14080, California Legislature
• HPSM Dental, Health Plan of San Mateo
• Dental Services through Medi-Cal, Disability Rights California
• Aged and Disabled and Medically Needy Medi-Cal Programs, CANHR
• Medi-Cal dental coverage continues for all adults, Central California Alliance for Health
• Medicaid, Medicare.gov