New developments in legal action against Delta Dental: What dentists should know
May 13, 2026
The California lawsuit filed in April claims that Delta Dental violated state antitrust laws and the Unfair Business Practices Act.
CDA supports, protects and fights for member dentists.
Dental plan challenges are an urgent concern for the majority of CDA members, causing serious disruptions in dentists’ daily ability to carry out treatment plans and patients’ ability to receive the care they need. We’re committed to holding plans accountable, pursuing meaningful standards and creating a path for dental coverage that isn’t painful to providers and their patients.
CDA’s fight for dental plan reform includes bold legal action, results-driven legislative advocacy, trusted news on emerging issues, expert-led education and resources to help members navigate plan decisions and processes.
Our ongoing dental plan reform efforts
Legal action
We sued Delta Dental for a second time over the lack of plan oversight and financial accountability
Successful advocacy
Eleven impactful CDA-sponsored bills signed into law as part of our long-term plan reform strategy
What legal action did CDA take?
Delta Dental of California’s 2023 changes to reimbursement rate structure and provider agreements have had a significant impact on many members’ practices. CDA pursued litigation intended to require Delta Dental to honor its contractual obligations inherent in the Participating Dentist Agreement between Delta and its participating providers. CDA challenged whether the Delta Dental board of directors violated its legal responsibilities, referred to as fiduciary duties. In September 2025, the California Court of Appeal ruled to uphold the prior Superior Court ruling in favor of Delta Dental, resulting in the case coming to an end.
Timeline
- December 2022: CDA files legal action against Delta Dental in San Francisco Superior Court.
- April 2023: CDA files First Amended Complaint with additional claims and plaintiffs.
- September 2023: The Superior Court rules that there are sufficient allegations to proceed with case. Court grants CDA and individual plaintiffs the opportunity to amend some of the claims with additional facts for consideration. Factual discovery to continue.
- November 2023: CDA files Second Amended Complaint with additional facts.
- December 2023: DDC response to Second Amended Complaint.
- April 2024: Hearing set for ruling on motions.
- May 2024: The Superior Court rules in favor of Delta Dental and the individual directors and officers, resulting in the case being dismissed. CDA evaluates moving forward with an appeal or taking other actions.
- July 2024: Deadline to file a Notice of Appeal.
- October 2024: CDA files the opening brief in the court of appeal.
- February 2025: CDA files an Appellants’ Reply Brief to challenge the legal merit of the respondent’s brief from Delta.
- September 2025: Court of Appeal ruling to uphold superior court ruling in favor of Delta Dental, resulting in the case coming to an end.
How can you stay connected?
Get 2026 updates
Watch a recorded member-only meeting on CDT code changes and CDA's advocacy wins (1 unit C.E.).
Learn about DLR
Watch a recorded member-only meeting that dispels Dental Loss Ratio myths and explains the facts.
Join the fight!
Check out the Fix Our Dental Insurance campaign to hold plans accountable.
Stories from CDA’s Newsroom
California dentist rises to the challenge of being a new practice owner while out of network with Delta Dental
March 12, 2026
A California dentist successfully transitions out of network with Delta Dental while navigating his new role as practice owner. Read about his journey.
New CDA-sponsored bills continue fight for more value and transparency from dental plans
February 26, 2026
CDA is sponsoring two bills in 2026 that demand more value and transparency from dental plans. See what the bills would accomplish for California dentists and patients.
Resources and support for members
Tools and guides
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The results of past legal action
In 2018, CDA achieved a favorable settlement on behalf of dentists – and their right to fair dealings – in our litigation against Delta Dental. During five years of hard-fought litigation, we successfully blocked Delta’s attempt to reduce reimbursement rates for the Premier Plan, saving providers more than $600 million. CDA has also driven multiple legislative wins on behalf of plan transparency, accountability and provider reimbursements.
In 2022, CDA pursued litigation intended to require Delta Dental to honor its contractual obligations inherent in the Participating Dentist Agreement between Delta and its participating providers. CDA challenged whether the Delta Dental board of directors violated its legal responsibilities, referred to as fiduciary duties. In 2025, the California Court of Appeal ruled to uphold the prior Superior Court ruling in favor of Delta Dental, resulting in the case coming to an end.