State's dental program dysfunctional
Denti-Cal, the Californian state’s dental care program, has been criticised by the state’s auditor and an independent oversight agency for its finding that less than 38% of children eligible for care actually received dental treatment in 2014. The resulting effects of children not receiving dental care can be disruptive to their education and their health, with tooth decay and disease putting them at risk for later issues such as diabetes, heart issues, pregnancy risks and more. The lack of access to dental care can add to the issue of multi-generational poverty by creating care barriers. Denti-Cal offers coverage for over 14m Californians, a number that includes five million children, who need access to the low-income health system of the state. Despite this access, millions of Californians suffer from poor oral health, dental pain, rotting and missing teeth and no treatment. The introduction of Assembly Bill 15 is designed to help support Denti-Cal by providing funding for more dentists and preventative care, which will help patients gain access as well as provide longer term cost savings. Reimbursement rates for Denti-Cal are currently 35% of the national average, making providing further funding for dentists imperative for encouraging providers to sign up.

Comprehensive reports by the California State auditor and an independent state oversight agency detail the areas where Denti-Cal falls short of meeting the needs of patients in our state. It is alarming that less than 38 percent of Denti-Cal eligible children received dental care in 2014.

This perpetuates a lack of access to care for a population that can least afford to fall farther behind in our society. When a child is not able to get basic or routine care, especially from a dentist, he or she is more likely to miss school and have worse health outcomes.

Tooth decay and disease are associated with pregnancy risks, diabetes, and respiratory and heart diseases. The inability to obtain proper dental care can have significant long-term impacts, which contribute to multi-generational poverty.

This is what happens when a program that is supposed to help those in poverty, instead creates barriers to care.

California’s dental program, known as Denti-Cal, is dysfunctional and ineffective. More than 14 million Californians, including five million children, depend on Denti-Cal services as part of the state’s low-income health system.

According to the Little Hoover Commission’s report, millions of Californians have rotting or missing teeth, debilitating pain, poor oral health habits and no preventative care.

Last year after reviewing the reports and hearing from stakeholders, it was clear that we couldn’t wait any longer for reform. Denti-Cal has been underfunded for years. I joined with many of my colleagues in requesting funds in this year’s Budget that would help fix the program. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, so I am trying another route.

This year I introduced Assembly Bill 15, which will provide more funding for Denti-Cal and focus on ensuring there are more dentists available for patients in the program. Increased funding for preventative care and case management services will ultimately achieve significant long-term cost savings, increase provider participation and increase beneficiary utilization under the program.

The biggest issues with Denti-Cal stem from the lack of dentists who care for patients in the program. My bill will increase reimbursement rates, which are currently about 35 percent of the national average, with the intention of encouraging more dentists to see Denti-Cal patients.

Not only are costs higher than average in California, but low reimbursement rates make it difficult for children to find a dentist to provide routine care.

As with the general Medicaid system in our state, there are many regions where providers don’t take state insurance because of low reimbursement rates.

I am committed to fixing the Denti-Cal system, so that millions of children can get the dental care they need. The state should address this matter and include more funding for Denti-Cal in this year’s budget. If this does not happen, I am committed to working each year until this critical issue is addressed.

California’s health and social safety net programs should provide hope and opportunity for low-income residents, not make it more difficult to get basic care and treatment.

Maienschein represents the 77th Assembly District, which includes most of inland North County.