Denti-Cal dentist in Oakland: we check your coverage the same day
If you have Denti-Cal (Medi-Cal Dental), you have dental coverage — and we're here to help you use it. Oakland Dental Associates accepts Denti-Cal for adults and children, and our staff checks your eligibility while you're in the office, usually before you leave the front desk. No referral needed, walk-ins welcome, and our team speaks English and Spanish. Below is what the program covers, what it costs, what to bring, and how a visit works.
What Denti-Cal covers for adults (21 and older)
Denti-Cal is the everyday name for the Medi-Cal Dental Program, which provides free or low-cost dental care to people who have Medi-Cal. For adults, Smile California — the state's Medi-Cal Dental website — lists the services below as covered. Some of them need prior authorization from Medi-Cal Dental before treatment starts; when that applies, our office submits the request for you and lets you know when it's approved.
- ✓Dental exams (every 12 months)
- ✓X-rays
- ✓Teeth cleaning (every 12 months)
- ✓Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) for gum disease
- ✓Fluoride varnish (every 12 months)
- ✓Fillings
- ✓Crowns
- ✓Root canals
- ✓Partial and full dentures, including relines
- ✓Tooth removal (extractions)
- ✓Emergency services
- ✓Sedation when medically necessary
Is there a yearly limit?
For adult members, Medi-Cal pays up to $1,800 per year for covered dental services. Two exceptions matter: if you are pregnant there is no yearly limit, and treatment can go above $1,800 when it is shown to be medically necessary. The children's benefit pages list no yearly limit. In practice, most routine care — checkups, cleanings, fillings — fits comfortably within the limit, and we'll tell you before treatment if something you need would go over it.
What Denti-Cal covers for children and teens (under 21)
Children's benefits are more frequent than adults'. From birth to age 3, exams are covered every 3 months, with cleanings and fluoride varnish every 6 months. From age 4 through 20, exams, cleanings, and fluoride varnish are all covered every 6 months. Sealants on the back teeth are covered for kids and teens, and braces are covered for teens who qualify.
- ✓Exams every 6 months (every 3 months from birth to age 3)
- ✓Teeth cleaning every 6 months
- ✓Fluoride varnish every 6 months
- ✓X-rays
- ✓Molar sealants
- ✓Fillings
- ✓Crowns and root canals
- ✓Tooth removal
- ✓Braces (orthodontics) for teens who qualify
- ✓Emergency services
- ✓Sedation when medically necessary
How we verify your eligibility
Our front-desk staff checks the Medi-Cal portal daily. When you come in, we look up your eligibility right away — usually while you wait. We'll tell you what's covered before any treatment starts so there are no surprises, and if something needs prior authorization we'll explain what that means for timing.
What to bring
Bring your Medi-Cal card — the Benefits Identification Card (BIC) — or your Medi-Cal member ID number, plus a photo ID. The BIC is what lets us complete your patient record. If you're bringing a child, bring their card or member number as well. Don't have your card? Smile California notes that you can still be seen in some situations without it; call us with your member number and date of birth and we can usually look you up before you arrive.
Denti-Cal in Alameda County: no separate dental plan to pick
In Alameda County, Medi-Cal Dental is fee-for-service. There is no separate dental plan to enroll in or choose — dental managed care plans only exist in Sacramento and Los Angeles counties. That means any Medi-Cal member in Oakland can come to us directly. Your Medi-Cal medical plan (the one that covers your doctor visits) is separate from your dental benefit and doesn't change where you can get dental care.
What Denti-Cal costs you
Medi-Cal Dental describes its services as free or low-cost. Depending on your household income and family size, dental services may be at no cost to you or your child. If your Medi-Cal case includes a monthly share of cost, we'll explain how it applies before any treatment. Either way, we go over costs with you first — you'll never get a surprise bill from us for a Denti-Cal visit.
What if you're not eligible, or need something Denti-Cal doesn't cover
If we find that you're not currently eligible, or if the treatment you want isn't a covered benefit (purely cosmetic work, for example), we'll talk through your options honestly. We accept most PPO plans, CareCredit for monthly payments, credit cards, and cash. We always discuss costs before treatment begins, and we'll work with your budget.
Walk-ins and scheduling
You don't need an appointment to come see us with Denti-Cal. Walk-ins are welcome Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. If you'd prefer a specific time, you can also request an appointment online or call us at (510) 532-8972.
Questions about your benefit
For questions about the Medi-Cal Dental benefit itself — including whether you're enrolled — call the Medi-Cal Dental Telephone Service Center at 1-800-322-6384. The call is free, and agents are available Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. For anything about your care at our office, call us at (510) 532-8972.
Frequently asked questions
Do you take Denti-Cal for adults?+
Yes. We accept Denti-Cal (Medi-Cal Dental) for both adults and children. Adult benefits include exams, cleanings, deep cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals, crowns, and dentures.
Can I walk in with Denti-Cal?+
Absolutely. Walk-ins are welcome during our office hours, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. No referral or appointment is required for most services.
Do you take Alameda Alliance or Health Net Medi-Cal?+
Yes. Alameda Alliance, Health Net, and Kaiser are Medi-Cal medical plans — your dental benefit is separate. In Alameda County, Medi-Cal Dental is fee-for-service, so any Medi-Cal member can see us regardless of which medical plan they have.
Does Denti-Cal cover crowns?+
Yes, crowns are a covered benefit for adults and teens. Some crowns need prior authorization from Medi-Cal Dental first. Our office handles the authorization process — we submit the request and let you know once it's approved.
Does Denti-Cal cover implants?+
Implants are not on the Medi-Cal Dental list of covered services. We can check your specific eligibility and discuss options, including dentures and partials, which are covered.
Does Denti-Cal cover dentures?+
Yes. Partial and full dentures, and denture relines, are covered for adults. Prior authorization is usually required. Our in-house lab helps us deliver dentures in a timely manner.
Does Denti-Cal cover braces for my teenager?+
Braces (orthodontics) are covered for teens who qualify — typically when the bite problem is severe enough to be medically necessary. We can evaluate your child and explain the next steps.
What if my Denti-Cal was recently activated?+
If you were recently approved for Medi-Cal, it may take a few days for your dental benefits to show in the system. Bring your approval letter and BIC number — we can usually check your status right away and, if needed, schedule you for when your coverage is active.
Have Denti-Cal? Walk in or request an appointment — we'll check your coverage the same day.
Related services
We'd love to hear from you.
Give the office a ring and a real person will pick up — questions about treatment, insurance or scheduling are always welcome. Prefer to write? Send us a message and we'll get back to you.
Three easy ways to reach us
- (510) 532-8972
Call the office
Fastest for questions, walk-in timing and urgent dental pain. A real person answers during office hours.
Alternate line: (510) 532-8995
- Start request
Request an appointment online
Takes a few minutes. We'll review it and contact you to confirm a date and time.
- Get directions
Walk in
Walk-ins are welcome during office hours. Call ahead so we can prepare a room for you.
2648 International Blvd, Ste 602, Oakland, CA 94601 · Mon – Fri · 9am – 5pm