Access to Care

From free transportation to free language assistance: Connecting Medi-Cal Dental providers with patients

Important new and ongoing services for Medi-Cal Dental patients include language translation and free transportation to and from their appointments. Learn about all the services available, as well as assistance and training to help dentists establish and provide care for Medi-Cal Dental patients. 

June 7, 2023 |Access to Care, Medi-Cal/Denti-Cal, News Articles

California dental students advocate at state Capitol to address workforce shortages, protect patient access

For the first time since 2019, California dental students were able to meet in person with legislative staff and have a meet-and-greet with Assemblymember Jim Wood, DDS, at the state Capitol as part of CDA’s Grassroots Advocacy Days.
 

May 1, 2023 |Access to Care, Advocacy, Legislation, News Articles, Students

Dentists, dental professionals: Be prepared to complete oral health assessment as part of Kindergarten Oral Health Care Requirement

Dentists and dental professionals should watch for the updated oral health assessment form and be ready to complete section 2. State law requires every child in public school in California to have this assessment completed by May 31 of their first year in school.

February 28, 2023 |Access to Care, Legislation, News Articles, Patient Care

CDA Foundation adopts new CDA Cares clinic model in partnership with state’s dental schools and Office of Oral Health

The CDA Foundation this week announced a new partnership with the state’s Office of Oral Health to administer the state’s Community-Based Clinical Education grant and pilot a new CDA Cares clinic model throughout the state.
 

January 12, 2023 |Access to Care, CDA Foundation, News Articles

Medi-Cal Dental gains are measurable for dentists and patients

The dental initiatives of California’s transformative Medi-Cal proposal, CalAIM, have added to the significant gains made by the Medi-Cal Dental Program, which is designed to serve more than 14.7 million eligible Californians. Read about six major changes that are working for dentists and patients.

November 17, 2022 |Access to Care, Medi-Cal/Denti-Cal, News Articles

CDA supports proposed federal rule to expand Medicare coverage of dental services tied to medically necessary conditions

A proposed rule from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services would cover medically necessary dental services as part of the existing medical services benefit in Medicare. CDA last week submitted specific recommendations on coverage of services.
 

September 15, 2022 |Access to Care, Advocacy, Dental Benefit Plans, Dental Plan Reform, News Articles

State scholarships for California dental students, enrollees in DA and hygiene programs

Dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants and dental and hygiene students in California may be eligible for financial assistance via loan repayment or a scholarship through the Department of Health Care Access and Information. 

August 24, 2022 |Access to Care, Early Career Dentists, News Articles, Students

CDA secures historic state budget wins for dentistry, oral health access

The California 2022-23 state budget signed by Gov. Newsom includes all of CDA’s priority asks with major investments in health care workforce development and $50 million to build and expand facilities and infrastructure to provide care for dental patients with special health care needs.

June 30, 2022 |Access to Care, Advocacy, Legislation, Medi-Cal/Denti-Cal, News Articles

California dental students advocate for dentistry, patients during Grassroots Advocacy Days

Student representatives from six California dental schools met earlier this year with state legislators to discuss critical issues affecting dentistry and oral health as part of  Grassroots Advocacy Days. The students highlighted solutions through state budget funding and CDA-sponsored legislation.

April 7, 2022 |Access to Care, Advocacy, Legislation, News Articles

New California law helps inform patients about dental coverage options, protects dentist-patient relationship in telehealth

A new California law will help inform patients who use telehealth about their health plan coverage limitations and options so they can make informed choices about the care they receive. It takes effect in January 2023.
 

March 31, 2022 |Access to Care, Advocacy, Dental Plan Reform, Legislation, News Articles

CalAIM now in effect, implements oral health improvements strategies for Medi-Cal program

CalAIM is a multiyear initiative by the Department of Health Care Services that aims to improve the quality of life and health outcomes of the Medi-Cal population by implementing broad delivery system, program and payment reform across Medi-Cal.

January 26, 2022 |Access to Care, Advocacy, Dental Plan Reform, News Articles

Local dental society, community clinics successfully advocate to protect oral health care access

The Oakland City Council passed an ordinance that requires individuals ages 12 and older to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination before they can enter certain indoor places. Dental offices were included in the initial proposal, but the Alameda County Dental Society and local community clinics successfully advocated to have dental offices removed to protect everyone's access to essential dental care.

January 11, 2022 |Access to Care, Advocacy, COVID-19/Respiratory Illness, News Articles
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