Western Dental is the largest provider of Medi-Cal dental services in California, with 223 locations in 35 counties across the state.
If the current proposal to cut funding for Proposition 56 goes forward, the company will be forced to close locations. The company is evaluating the scope of the anticipated closures and taking other steps to offset the significant impact on dental locations.
In 2016, California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 56, which uses revenue from a new tobacco tax to increase access to dental services for individuals and families eligible for Medi-Cal dental services.
Proposition 56 not only enables California dentists to provide dental services to more patients, it also allows new facilities to open and create a more stable and equitable health care system across the state, including in areas that previously had a shortage of dentists.
“For decades, Medi-Cal dental care has been severely underserved. Proposition 56 provided critical funding that helped Western Dental open more than 100 new clinics across the state, serving millions of patients, many of whom come from underserved areas that would otherwise lack access to care,” said Preet Takkar, CEO of Western Dental.
“The current budget proposal significantly cuts dental reimbursement rates, which will prevent many new clinics from continuing to operate, while also impacting other clinics across the state. This proposal will reignite the dental care underserved crisis that existed before Proposition 56 was passed, and ultimately cost the state more money.
Unfortunately, eliminating this funding will force California dental practices like ours to make difficult choices—reevaluating staffing, hours, and locations.”
Today, Western Dental has more than 4,000 employees in California, including more than 750 dentists and hygienists, who serve more than 1 million Medi-Cal patients each year.
“Dental care is more than just cleaning teeth. It is vital primary care for children and whole body care for adults,” said Dr. Peter Truong, Chief Dental Officer at Western Dental.
“If dental care is eliminated or reduced, patients will suffer adverse health consequences including tooth decay, gum disease, systemic health problems, and social and economic impacts that are much more expensive to treat. Losing dental care will have a significant impact on the health of millions of Californians.”
“If Proposition 56 funding is eliminated, Western Dental will be forced to make difficult choices in the coming weeks and months. Unfortunately, this will most likely include closing up to 50 practices, laying off staff at many practices, and reducing the number of Medi-Cal dental patients each practice is able to treat.
If Proposition 56 funds are reallocated and no longer used for dental care, the choices made by the Governor and the California Legislature will directly impact access to necessary health care services and result in job losses,” added Mr. Thakkar.
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