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Find a Dentist | InsureKidsNow.gov

Find a Dentist | InsureKidsNow.gov

Phone number
Medi-Cal Dental: 1-800-322-6384 • InsureKidsNow: 1-877-543-7669
Category
Children
Health
Auto tags
Eligibility
Kids up to age 19 on Medi-Cal or CHIP — full dental coverage. Adults on Medi-Cal also covered (note: July 2026 changes for some adults based on immigration status; kids unaffected).
Auto Summary
Free or low-cost dental care for California kids on Medi-Cal or CHIP — covers check-ups, x-rays, fluoride, sealants, fillings, crowns, root canals, and dentures. Use the state Medi-Cal Dental directory at dental.dhcs.ca.gov or the federal InsureKidsNow.gov locator. Adults on Medi-Cal are also covered, but starting July 1, 2026 some adults will lose non-emergency dental coverage based on immigration status — kids' coverage is unaffected.
Value
Free or low-cost dental care for California kids and most adults through Medi-Cal Dental and CHIP, plus directory tools to find a participating dentist.
Espanol
Encuentre un dentista para su hijo en California a través de Medi-Cal Dental (Denti-Cal) o CHIP — cuidado dental gratis o de bajo costo. Use el directorio en dental.dhcs.ca.gov o llame al 1-800-322-6384. Cubre chequeos, radiografías, flúor, selladores, empastes, coronas, endodoncias y dentaduras. Los adultos con Medi-Cal también tienen cobertura, pero a partir del 1 de julio de 2026 algunos adultos perderán la cobertura dental no urgente según su estado migratorio — los niños no se ven afectados.
URL
https://www.insurekidsnow.gov/find-a-dentist
Last verified 2026-05-17. Free or low-cost dental care for California kids through Medi-Cal Dental (Denti-Cal) and CHIP.

What you get

If your child has Medi-Cal or CHIP, dental care is free or very low cost. Covered services include:
  • Check-ups and cleanings
  • X-rays
  • Fluoride treatments and sealants
  • Fillings, crowns, and root canals
  • Dentures
  • Emergency care
You should never be asked to pay out of pocket for a covered service at a participating Medi-Cal Dental provider [Source: smilecalifornia.org/common-questions-2/do-i-qualify-for-medi-cal-dental/ (accessed 2026-05-17)].

Who qualifies

  • Kids up to age 19 enrolled in Medi-Cal or CHIP — full dental coverage.
  • Adults on Medi-Cal — also covered, including preventive care, fillings, crowns, root canals, and dentures [Source: dental.dhcs.ca.gov (accessed 2026-05-17)].

Heads up for adults: 2026 change

Starting July 1, 2026, Medi-Cal will stop covering most dental services (except emergencies) for adult members age 19+ who do not qualify for federal full-scope Medi-Cal — this is based on immigration status. DHCS will mail notices to affected members starting April 2026. Kids' coverage is not affected [Source: dhcs.ca.gov/services/Pages/Medi-Cal-Dental-Benefits-Changes.aspx (accessed 2026-05-17)].

How to find a dentist

Best for California: Medi-Cal Dental directory

  1. Go to dental.dhcs.ca.gov and click Find-A-Dentist.
  1. Enter your ZIP code.
  1. Pick a dentist from the list. Call ahead to confirm they still accept Medi-Cal Dental and are taking new patients.
Or call the Medi-Cal Dental beneficiary line: 1-800-322-6384 (free, English/Spanish).

Federal tool (works in any state)

InsureKidsNow.gov has a nationwide locator for kids on Medicaid/CHIP:
  1. Visit insurekidsnow.gov/find-a-dentist.
  1. Select California.
  1. Pick your child's dental plan.
  1. Enter your ZIP and a search distance.
Or call 1-877-KIDS-NOW (1-877-543-7669).

Common pitfalls

  • Listings go stale. Online directories can show dentists who stopped taking Medi-Cal or aren't taking new patients. Always call the office before you book.
  • Two systems. Most of California uses fee-for-service Medi-Cal Dental, but Sacramento and Los Angeles counties use managed care dental plans — the dentist list is different. The state tool handles this; just answer the questions accurately.
  • You don't need a referral for most fee-for-service Medi-Cal dental visits — go straight to any enrolled dentist [Source: smilecalifornia.org (accessed 2026-05-17)].
  • Emergencies are always covered, even after the July 2026 changes for some adults.

Don't have coverage yet?

Medi-Cal and CHIP offer free or low-cost health insurance for kids up to 19, and many parents qualify too. Apply at coveredca.com or call 1-800-300-1506. You can also call 1-877-KIDS-NOW for help finding coverage in California.

Sources

Freshness check 2026-05-30: The July 1, 2026 adult dental change is confirmed and on schedule. Even among adults who lose non-emergency dental, several groups keep full dental benefits: anyone under 19, people who are pregnant (through one year postpartum), and former foster youth under 26 who were in foster care at age 18. Emergency dental (severe pain, infections, extractions) stays covered for everyone. You do not need to do anything — DHCS mails notices to affected members starting April 2026. If unsure whether it affects you, call Medi-Cal at 1-800-541-5555. Source: [DHCS Medi-Cal Dental Benefit Changes; verified 2026-05-30]