Sequestration of Speciality Providers in California’s MediCal Dental Program

Abstract

The California MediCal Dental Program is health coverage designed to fill the need for critical dental care for low-income patients. By analyzing patterns of enrollment and payment in health care services, research can shed light to the dental care that low-income patients are receiving, and will further support programs that raise the standard of care for DentiCal patients. While the number of registered dental specialists rises from year to year, this does not necessarily indicate that the providers are localized where they are needed, and might reflect a sequestration of providers in urban locations, leaving more rural patients at risk.