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In this week’s Arc Beacon, Julie Schurman, Director of Public Policy for The Arc & UCP California Collaboration, breaks down a deeply troubling proposal in the Governor’s January budget: a $1 billion cut to Medi-Cal Dental beginning July 1, 2026.
Medi-Cal Dental—also known as Denti-Cal—provides exams, cleanings, fillings, X-rays, and specialty care to eligible 15 million children and adults across California. For many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, it is the only way to access dental care.
If these cuts move forward, dentist reimbursement rates would be slashed by 40% to 80%. According to the California Dental Association, roughly half of surveyed providers say they would stop accepting Medi-Cal patients or significantly reduce services under those reductions.
Let’s be clear about what that means: longer waitlists, fewer providers, and even more barriers to care for people who already struggle to find a dentist who accepts Medi-Cal Dental.
Members of the Legislature have an opportunity to push back on the Governor’s proposal before the May Revise. But they need to hear from our community NOW!
Here’s how to take action:
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- Visit the Action Center at org/take-action to email your State Assemblymember and Senator.
- Share your story about how Medi-Cal Dental has impacted you or your family.
- Share the Arc Beacon video on social media to help spread the word.
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It takes just a few minutes to send a message—but it could protect critical dental care for hundreds of thousands of Californians.
Please take 6 minutes to watch the video, understand what’s at stake, and then use your voice.
California’s disability community cannot afford to lose access to essential dental care. To learn more and get involved, visit SaveOurDentalCare.org
Let’s act before it’s too late.