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Dental insurance and access for Medi-Cal members in San Mateo County

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NEW CHANGES as of 1/1/24: Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Medi-Cal transition

The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has entered into an agreement with Kaiser Permanente to provide Medi-Cal coverage and care across much of the state under a single, direct contract starting January 1, 2024.

Effective January 1, 2024, some Medi-Cal members in San Mateo County will switch from Health Plan of San Mateo (HPSM) to Kaiser Foundation Health Plan (Kaiser). Members who stay with HPSM will continue to receive dental services through HPSM. 

Members who switch to Kaiser will receive dental services through the Medi-Cal Dental Fee-for-Service (FFS) program, also known as Smile, California.

If your current dentist is accepting new Medi-Cal Dental FFS members, you can stay with your current dentist. If not, you will need to find a dentist accepting Medi-Cal Dental FFS.

Kaiser Permanente Member Services

Medi-Cal Health Care Options

If you would like to switch from one Medi-Cal health plan to another, you can do so at any time by calling Medi-Cal Health Care Options.

Health Plan of San Mateo Dental (HPSM Dental)

As of January 1, 2022, Health Plan of San Mateo (HPSM) Dental began covering the dental benefits for San Mateo County community members eligible for Medi-Cal. That means, as an HPSM Medi-Cal member:

  • Your dental benefits are managed locally by HPSM
  • You only need to call one phone number for information about both your health care and dental care
  • You only need one member card to use your health and dental benefits

Health Plan of San Mateo Dental contact information

  • HPSM Dental direct phone line: 650-616-1522
  • Email: Dental@hpsm.org
  • Website: HPSM Dental member webpage
  • Find an HPSM Dental provider: search the HPSM online provider directory 
  • HPSM Medi-Cal Provider directory–including dental providers– can be downloaded at the bottom of this HPSM member webpage, in multiple languages. Or, members can request that it be mailed to them.
  • HPSM general member services (health and dental) phone numbers: Monday-Friday 8:00am-6:00pm
    • Toll free: 1-800-750-4776
    • Local: 650-616-2133
    • TTY: 1-800-735-2929 or dial 7-1-1

How to prepare for your dental visit with a HPSM Dental provider

Health Coverage Options for Children Without Insurance

Medi-Cal offers free or low-cost coverage for children under age 19. Coverage includes primary care, emergency services, dental, vision, and prescriptions. Families can apply online at:

Apply early for Medi-Cal, as the process may take 1-2 months. 

San Mateo Medical Center Dental Clinics

San Mateo Medical Center’s dental clinics provide general, specialty and emergency dental care to people of all ages, including pregnant people, people living with HIV/AIDs, people with mental health conditions, and the unhoused. 

If you are new to San Mateo Medical Center, visit our New Patients page to apply for health insurance or to schedule your first appointment. Call the New Patient Connection Center at (650) 372-3200 to make your first appointment.

SMMC Dental clinics are located in the cities below. 

Emergency dental care 

Emergency dental care is available at San Mateo Medical Center’s Dental Clinics for people with severe swelling, infection, pain, or other dental emergency situations that threaten their life or health, during the days and times listed below. No appointment is necessary, and care is provided regardless of insurance status.

It is recommended to be at these clinics before the opening times listed below.

Low or no cost dental clinics for those without  dental insurance

Enroll in dental insurance by contacting SMC Health’s ”Health Coverage Unit:”

Dental clinics providing care for the uninsured

Ravenswood Family Health Center Dental Clinic

  • Serving people of all ages, pregnant people, and children with special needs at their clinic in East Palo Alto
  • Phone: 650-330-7400

Samaritan House Dental Clinic

  • Serving adults by appointment only at two clinics in San Mateo and Redwood City
  • San Mateo clinic phone: 650-578-0400
  • Redwood City clinic phone: 650-839-1447

Sonrisas Dental Health

  • Serving people of all ages, pregnant people, and children with special needs at two clinics in Half Moon Bay and San Mateo.
  • Half Moon Bay clinic phone: 650-726-2144 
  • San Mateo clinic phone: 650-727-3480 

Dental school clinics

Foothill College Dental Hygiene Clinic 

  • Open to the public. There is a cost for cleanings and X-rays. See the link above for costs. Because services are performed by students, your appointment will require more time than in a private dental office. 
  • Located at Foothill College’s Main Campus in Los Altos Hills
  • Phone: 650-949-7335

University of the Pacific Dental Hygiene Clinic

  • Open to all ages. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. There is a cost for cleanings, X-rays and other preventive services, but costs are about 30 – 40% lower than a typical Bay Area private dental office.
  • Located at the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco
  • Phone: 415-929-6408

University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Dentistry Student Clinic

  • Offers cleanings and other services. There is a cost for services.
  • Located in San Francisco
  • Phone: 416-476-1891

Oral Public Health Program/ Local Oral Health Program

If all the options listed above have been tried to find a dental home (a regular dentist), or to get dental care, contact the SMC Health Oral Public Health Program for assistance. The Oral Public Health Program works with community members to improve the conditions for oral health in the county, particularly for people facing historical and systemic barriers to oral health. 

  • Email: SMCOralHealth@smcgov.org

Dental Societies

If ​all the options listed above have been tried to find a dental home (a regular dentist), or to get dental care, contact one of the San Mateo County dental societies for further assistance.

San Mateo County Dental Society 

  • Covers all of San Mateo County except Menlo Park
  • Phone: (650) 637-1121

Mid-Peninsula Dental Society

  • Covers Menlo Park in San Mateo County
  • Covers Los Altos, Mountain View, and Palo Alto in Santa Clara County
  • Phone: (650) 328-2242