As of July 1, 2026, dental benefits will change for adult members with an unsatisfactory immigration status.
These members will have limited dental coverage. If you are one of these members, Medi-Cal will only cover emergency dental services.
Most members will still get full dental benefits. This includes:
- People who qualify for federal full-scope Medi-Cal (those who have satisfactory immigration status and meet other requirements).
- Children under age 19.
- People who are pregnant or had a baby within the last 12 months.
- Foster youth under age 26 who were in foster care on their 18th birthday.
If I am affected by these changes, what should I do next?
We encourage you to use your full dental benefits before your coverage is limited (before July 1). Any non-emergency dental services provided on July 1 and later will not be covered by Medi-Cal Dental.
If you need emergency dental services, you can see a dentist who takes Medi-Cal and your care will be covered. Use the Find a Dentist Tool to find a provider near you.
What emergency dental services will be covered?
The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) defines emergency dental services as treatments needed right away to:
- Stop severe pain.
- Diagnose and treat sudden, serious medical problems.
This means that you can still get coverage for things like:
- Bleeding in the mouth that does not stop.
- Painful swelling in or around the mouth.
- A toothache or jaw pain.
- Injuries to the face or jawbone.
- A broken or knocked out tooth.
- Infection in your gums or teeth with pain or swelling.
- After-surgery care (like bandage changes or stitch removal).
- Cutting or fixing wires in braces that hurt your cheeks or gums.
I am pregnant or recently had a baby. How do I make sure I still get coverage?
Contact your county Medi-Cal office. Tell them you are pregnant or had a baby within the last 12 months.
My immigration status changed and I want to know if I can get full-scope dental coverage.
Contact your county Medi-Cal office to see if you qualify.
I have more questions. Who should I contact?
If you are a Medi-Cal member, your dental benefits are managed by Medi-Cal Dental, not the Alliance. Please connect directly with Medi-Cal Dental:
- Visit the Medi-Cal Dental website.
- Call 800-322-6384 (TTY: 800-735-2929), Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More resources
- 2026 Medi-Cal Dental Benefit Changes (Smile, California)
- Follow the Smile, California Facebook page.
If you want to learn more about all the upcoming changes to Medi-Cal, go to the DHCS website.
