One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
State restores Medi-Cal dental coverage for adults
Five of Miriam Martinez's molars have had to be extracted because of decay. "If I'd had dental insurance, I'd still have my teeth," the 52-year-old said. Beginning May 1, patients like Martinez will once again get dental coverage under Medi-Cal.
(
Adrian Florido
)
Listen
0:42
State restores Medi-Cal dental coverage for adults
Beginning Thursday, adults on Medi-Cal will once again be able to visit the dentist.
Dental visits have been out of reach for many low-income adults since the California legislature, facing a budget shortfall, eliminated dental coverage for adults on Medi-Cal in 2009.
Since then, only children on Medi-Cal have had dental coverage.
But last year, the legislature voted to restore coverage for adults, effective Thursday.
Daisy Gonzalez of the St. John’s Well Child and Family Center in South L.A. said she has been calling patients to let them know.
"They’re excited about that because they haven’t received any dental treatment in years, because of no way to pay for it," Gonzalez said.
Under the new policy, Medi-Cal will cover most dental work for adults, with the exception of gum treatments and partial dentures.
Community health advocates are urging the legislature to restore coverage for those treatments, too.
Sponsored message
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
