Dental providers warn cuts to Prop 56 and Medi‑Cal dental will push patients into ERs and shrink access
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Summary
Dental clinics and pediatric dental advocates told lawmakers rescinding Prop 56 supplemental dental payments and reducing adult dental benefits will force providers out of Medi‑Cal, increase ER visits, and produce higher longer‑term costs. LAO noted the Prop 56 revenue base has declined and the department must submit a federal analysis for any rate reductions.
The committee heard urgent testimony from community dental providers, pediatric dental centers and LAO on the consequences of proposed cuts to Medi‑Cal dental funding, including elimination or reduction of Prop 56‑supported supplemental payments.
Laura Marcus, CEO of Dientes Community Dental Care, warned that eliminating adult dental benefits and Prop 56 supplements will reverse gains in access and shift costs to emergency departments. "When I started at Dientes in 2004 we served under 7,000 patients; today we serve 18,000," Marcus said. "People stopped seeking preventative care. Dental infections became medical emergencies."
Dr. John Hollister of the Telosa Children's Dental Center said his nonprofit would face an estimated near‑term revenue loss of nearly $300,000 under the proposed fee schedule, and that many private providers would stop accepting Medi‑Cal patients, leaving children and other vulnerable groups without care.
LAO staff reminded the committee that Prop 56 revenue has declined as tobacco consumption fell and that the 25‑26 enacted budget included a supplemental payment reduction that saves roughly $300 million general fund but reduces total fund provider revenue by a larger amount because of federal match. DHCS said it must complete a federally required rate restructuring analysis and submit it to CMS before cutting rates; if CMS does not approve, the reductions cannot be implemented.
Why it matters: testimony tied oral health to broader health outcomes (cardiometabolic disease, infections, school attendance) and argued that short‑term savings could generate larger medical and social costs. Multiple providers and associations asked the committee to reject rescission of Prop 56 funds and seek alternative budget solutions.
Next steps: DHCS said it will share the federally required analysis ahead of submission to CMS; members and providers asked for alternatives to avoid shrinking the Medi‑Cal dental provider network.
