Medi-Cal restored full adult dental benefits through the Denti-Cal program in January 2022. The benefit package is comprehensive, but finding a participating provider is often the slow part. Here is how to search the official directory, what to bring to your first appointment, and where to look if no provider near you has openings.
Mountainside Dental Is Not a Medi-Cal Provider
Mountainside Dental does not accept Medi-Cal or Denti-Cal at any of our five Southern California locations. We are a private practice with our own insurance and financing options, including in-network coverage with most major dental insurance carriers and an in-house savings plan for patients without insurance. The guide below is informational only. To use Medi-Cal benefits, find a separately enrolled Denti-Cal provider.
How Medi-Cal Dental Works in California
The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) administers Medi-Cal dental benefits through the Denti-Cal program. Adult benefits were limited from 2009 until 2022, when Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation restoring comprehensive coverage. Eligible adults can now access preventive, restorative, surgical, and emergency dental services.
Two Delivery Models
Fee-for-Service
Visit any enrolled Denti-Cal provider without a referral. The state pays the provider directly.
Managed Care
Used in counties like Sacramento and Los Angeles. Select a dentist within the plan’s network.
Costs
Most covered services have no copay. Some managed care plans charge $1 to $3. No deductibles, no annual maximums.
5 Ways to Find a Dentist That Accepts Medi-Cal
Provider Search Methods
Use the Official Denti-Cal Provider Directory
Search dental.dhcs.ca.gov by ZIP code, city, language, or specialty. The directory only lists currently enrolled providers, so it is the most current source.
Call the Denti-Cal Beneficiary Line
Call 1-800-322-6384. Representatives can locate enrolled dentists near you and confirm what your plan covers.
Confirm Acceptance Directly With the Office
Provider lists lag behind real availability. Before scheduling, ask the office two things: Are you currently accepting new Medi-Cal patients, and do you accept my plan type (fee-for-service or managed care)?
Try a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)
FQHCs accept Medi-Cal as a rule and often have on-site dental services. When private offices have long waits, FQHCs are usually the next best move.
Consider a Dental School Clinic
USC, UCLA, Loma Linda, and other California dental schools run clinics that accept Medi-Cal and offer reduced fees. Appointments take longer because supervised students do the work, but the care is high quality.
What to Bring to Your First Visit
Benefits Identification Card (BIC)
Your Medi-Cal BIC card proves eligibility. Bring the physical card to your appointment.
Photo ID
A driver’s license, state ID, or other government-issued photo identification.
Medication List
A current list of prescriptions and over-the-counter medications you take, including dosages.
Health History
Notes on relevant medical conditions, allergies, and recent dental work if available.
What Medi-Cal Dental Covers for Adults
Once you find a participating provider, the following services are covered for eligible adult Medi-Cal members. Some procedures require prior authorization, which the dental office submits on your behalf. For a full breakdown of services, frequency limits, and the authorization process, see our companion guide on Medi-Cal adult dental coverage.
- Oral exams and cleanings (typically twice yearly)
- X-rays, including bitewing, periapical, and panoramic
- Fillings, both amalgam and composite
- Crowns (prior authorization required)
- Root canal therapy
- Simple and surgical extractions, including impacted wisdom teeth
- Full and partial dentures, denture relines and repairs
- Fixed bridges (prior authorization required)
- Scaling and root planing for gum disease
- Emergency dental care
What Medi-Cal Does Not Cover
- Cosmetic procedures such as whitening and veneers
- Adult orthodontics in most cases
- Dental implants outside of rare medical exceptions
- Services beyond plan frequency limits
- Treatment from non-enrolled providers
What to Do If You Cannot Find a Medi-Cal Provider Nearby
Provider shortages are common in California, particularly in rural counties and parts of Southern California. Denti-Cal reimbursement rates are lower than private insurance, so many practices choose not to enroll. The result is fewer open appointments than the eligible population needs.
A few ways to widen your search:
- Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) typically have more capacity than private offices
- Dental school clinics offer reduced fees and accept Medi-Cal
- Some counties have community dental clinics specifically designed for Medi-Cal patients
- Expanding your search radius, even by 30 to 45 minutes, often opens up more options
Mountainside Dental’s Insurance and Payment Options
Mountainside Dental is not enrolled in Medi-Cal or Denti-Cal. For patients comparing alternatives, our practice offers three paths, all detailed on our Insurance and Financing page.
1. Private dental insurance: We accept most major carriers, including Delta Dental, Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, MetLife, Guardian, Humana, Ameritas, and United Healthcare.
2. In-house savings plan: For patients without insurance, our in-house savings plan covers preventive care and discounts other procedures. This is a private membership program run directly by our practice, not government insurance. There are no networks, claim forms, deductibles, or annual maximums.
- 2 professional cleanings per year
- Routine exams and X-rays
- 1 emergency exam per year
- 10% off all other procedures
Pricing: $27 to $36 per month depending on location. Same-day enrollment available at any of our five Southern California offices.
3. Self-pay with financing: We accept CareCredit and similar third-party financing for larger treatments. Our guide to dental financing breaks down how it works.
“Top notch customer service. Mountainside is a well oiled machine.”
Robert H., La Quinta
Mountainside Dental Locations
La Quinta
78461 CA-111
760-492-7993
Yucaipa
11834 Bryant St., Ste. #104
909-378-8934
Rancho Mirage
42500 Bob Hope Dr STE 1
760-412-8373
Rancho Santa Margarita
29941 Aventura, Suite B
949-368-0193
Lake Forest
23731 El Toro Rd. Unit D
949-881-4928
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for a Private Dental Practice in Southern California?
If you do not have Medi-Cal coverage and want to compare insurance, in-house savings, or financing options, our Insurance and Financing page lays everything out.
