Medi-Cal: Denti-Cal Advisory Group.
The establishment of the Medi-Cal Dental Advisory Group aims to create a framework for ongoing evaluation and improvement of dental services under Medi-Cal. With the goal of increasing dental visit rates among both children and adults to at least 60%, the advisory group is expected to provide evidence-based recommendations for enhancing the quality and accessibility of dental care services. Furthermore, the group's findings will be reported annually to the Legislature, promoting transparency and accountability in addressing oral health disparities faced by the Medi-Cal population.
Senate Bill 707, introduced by Senator Cannella, establishes the Medi-Cal Dental Advisory Group to enhance the Denti-Cal program, which provides dental services to low-income individuals under Medi-Cal. The advisory group is mandated to study the policies and structures of the Medi-Cal dental fee-for-service and managed care programs with an objective to boost dental utilization rates among eligible beneficiaries. This effort is spurred by the alarming statistics that highlighted a low utilization rate among children enrolled in the Denti-Cal program, which was reported at only 43.9%, positioning California among the states with the lower engagement in dental care services for eligible populations.
The sentiment surrounding SB 707 appears to be largely supportive, as it targets the improvement of oral health for low-income Californians, a demographic that has historically struggled with access to dental care. Proponents, including various health advocacy groups and stakeholders within the dental community, have highlighted the importance of structured guidance to achieve better health outcomes. However, some concerns may arise regarding the limited authority of the advisory group, which is explicitly prohibited from taking positions on legislation, thereby limiting its influence on broader policy changes.
One notable point of contention related to SB 707 lies in the specific operational parameters of the advisory group. While its establishment is viewed positively, the restrictive clause preventing members from advocating for any legislative measures raises concerns about its effectiveness in elevating dental health priorities within overall health policy discussions. There may be criticism regarding whether the advisory group can sufficiently advocate for necessary change without the ability to engage in legislative discourse.