CSPD and CDA Score a Victory for California's Kids: Denti-Cal cuts delayed for another year

Budget Act of 2026

The California Budget Act of 2026 has been released, and though the final budget is not perfect, because perfect would be no cuts to oral health programs, it is still an important win for the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry (CSPD) and the California Dental Association (CDA). Fortunately, the Legislature delayed several proposed Denti-Cal reductions for an additional year.


The 2026 Budget Act postpones the planned elimination of Proposition 56 Denti-Cal Supplemental Payments and other Denti-Cal reductions until July 1, 2027.

As members of the CSPD Public Policy Committee, we are especially grateful for the leadership of our Public Policy Advocate, Dr. Evelyne Vutien, and for our lobbyist, Chad Mayes, who advocated tirelessly throughout this legislative session. Together with our partners at CDA, we worked to ensure that lawmakers understood the impact these proposed reductions would have on children and their families, particularly those living in resource-limited communities. Delaying these cuts for another year preserves access to essential dental services for Medi-Cal beneficiaries while giving policymakers, providers, and advocates additional time to develop long-term funding solutions.

While this one-year delay is an important victory, it is only a temporary solution. Our next priority is to advocate for more permanent improvements to Denti-Cal base rates so that access to care is not dependent on annual budget negotiations and we do not have to fight this same battle each year. CSPD and CDA will continue to pursue lasting policy changes that strengthen the Denti-Cal program, support dental providers, and ensure that every child in California has access to high-quality oral health care, helping prevent dental disease and avoidable dental emergencies.

We look forward to continuing this work alongside our members and legislative partners in the year ahead.