California restored full adult dental benefits through Medi-Cal in January 2022, reversing cuts in place since the 2009 recession. Eligible adults can use the Denti-Cal program for preventive care, restorative treatment, oral surgery, and emergencies. Below is what the program covers in 2026, what it does not cover, and how delivery works.
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. This article is informational only. To use Medi-Cal benefits, find a Denti-Cal provider at dental.dhcs.ca.gov or call 1-800-322-6384.
Medi-Cal Adult Dental Coverage Overview
The California Department of Health Care Services administers Medi-Cal dental benefits through the Denti-Cal program. Coverage was reduced to emergency-only services from 2009 to 2014, partially expanded in 2014, and fully restored on January 1, 2022.
Adult Medi-Cal members now receive a comprehensive benefit package: no deductibles, no annual maximums, and minimal or no copays for covered services.
What Medi-Cal Dental Covers for Adults
Preventive and Diagnostic Care
Oral exams (typically twice yearly), cleanings, X-rays (bitewing, periapical, panoramic), fluoride treatments, and oral cancer screenings.
Restorative Care
Fillings (amalgam and composite), crowns (with prior authorization), root canal therapy, and core buildups and posts.
Oral Surgery
Simple and surgical extractions, impacted wisdom tooth removal, abscess drainage, and infection treatment.
Tooth Replacement
Full and partial dentures, denture relines and repairs, and fixed bridges with prior authorization.
Periodontal Care
Scaling and root planing, periodontal maintenance, and gum surgery with authorization.
Emergency Care
Emergency exams and X-rays, pain management, emergency extractions, and infection treatment.
What Medi-Cal Does Not Cover
Denti-Cal excludes several categories of care, even for eligible adults:
- Cosmetic procedures such as whitening and veneers
- Adult orthodontics in most cases (braces, clear aligners)
- Dental implants outside of rare medical exceptions
- Services that exceed plan frequency limits
- Treatment provided by non-enrolled providers
- Procedures performed without required prior authorization
How Denti-Cal Delivery Works
Fee-for-Service
Patients can visit any enrolled Denti-Cal provider without a referral. The state pays the provider directly.
Managed Care
Used in Sacramento, Los Angeles, and a few others. Patients choose a dentist within the plan’s network.
Costs to Patient
No deductibles or annual maximums. Most services have no copay. Some managed care plans charge $1 to $3.
Prior Authorization: How It Works
Authorization Process
Dentist Identifies the Need
Procedures like crowns, fixed bridges, dentures in some cases, periodontal surgery, and certain oral surgeries require advance approval from Denti-Cal.
Treatment Authorization Request (TAR) Is Submitted
The dental office prepares and submits the request with supporting documentation (X-rays, diagnostic notes, treatment plan).
DHCS Reviews
The Department of Health Care Services reviews the request. Standard turnaround is days to a few weeks depending on complexity.
Approval or Modification
Once approved, the dentist can schedule treatment. If modified or denied, the office can submit additional information or pursue an appeal on your behalf.
Eligibility and Enrollment
Denti-Cal benefits are included automatically with Medi-Cal coverage. If you are already enrolled in Medi-Cal, your dental benefits are active with no separate enrollment step.
To check eligibility or apply for Medi-Cal, visit coveredca.com or your county’s social services office. Once you have coverage, our guide to finding a dentist that accepts Medi-Cal in California walks through the provider search step by step.
Children’s Coverage
For children from birth through age 20, Medi-Cal dental benefits are delivered under the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) program. Children’s coverage includes everything adult coverage offers, plus:
- Sealants on permanent molars
- Space maintainers
- Medically necessary orthodontics
- More frequent preventive visits as needed
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, with periodontal plans available for patients managing gum disease. Same-day enrollment, benefits begin immediately.
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.
“In 50 years of going to the dentist I had never enjoyed my visit as much as I did today.”
Darrin K., Rancho Santa Margarita
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.
