Dental Grants in California – Overview
Dental grants in California are given to ensure that the most vulnerable residents receive oral health care. It is essential to overall health.
The grants support organizations with the dental supplies and materials necessary for dental procedures and oral health services for low-income, underserved populations in California.
Grants for Dental Work in California – Making an Impact
Grants for dental work in California help the local communities to increase access to care, enhance research programs that advance the oral health field and support dental education.
The California Dental Access Project (CDAP) was developed to improve access to oral health services for underserved populations in California.
Who is Eligible for Dental Grants in California?
Over 90% of Medicaid beneficiaries in California—children and adults—are eligible for a range of dental services.
The California Department of Health Services provides a variety of funding programs for underserved populations. Several dental clinics in California support people of all income levels. These centers provide free or reduced-priced dental care. Each location in California offers slightly different services.
- Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, is administered through the California Department of Health Services’ Office of Medi-Cal Dental Services (OMDS). Medi-Cal covers dental services for children and adults that include diagnostic, preventive and restorative services such as cleaning, fillings, and oral surgery.
- OMDC provides reduced fees for dental care (Denti-Cal) through the Delta Dental Plan of California (Delta Dental).
- The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) extends coverage for health care to uninsured children. California’s SCHIP is operated through the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board (MRMIB), the Healthy Families Program. It provides low-cost health, vision and dental coverage to children under age 19 with low-income families.
- The County Medical Services Program (CMSP) reimburses the dental costs for adults aged 21-64 who are of marginal income and not eligible for Medi-Cal.
- The Children’s Dental Disease Prevention Program assures, promotes, and protects the oral health of California’s school children by increasing awareness and knowledge.
- The Rural Health Services Program (RHS) and the California Healthcare for Indigents Program (CHIP) reimburse services for individuals who cannot afford care and have no other payment source.
- The Children’s Treatment Program (CTP) reimburses Medi-Cal, and Denti-Cal enrolled providers for treatment of conditions detected through a Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) program health screening.
- The California Children’s Services (CCS) program pays for the treatment of dental conditions. If a low-income family has a child with a medically eligible condition, CCS arranges and pays for diagnostic evaluations. Parents must be legal residents of California, and the child must be under 21 years of age.

Dental Grants in California – How to Apply?
How to Apply for a Dental Grant in California?
A good place to start dental procedures and dental work is your local community health center. They have affordable dental care programs and grants.
To find your local community health centers and find out about dental grants in California, visit https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/.
To qualify for a dental grant in California, you must visit an eligible dental program and undergo an oral health assessment. If you are eligible for the need for oral care service, then you are accepted as a candidate.
However, it doesn’t ensure that you get a grant. Several other variables include how many people are in the application pool, the amount of money currently available for distribution, and your financial situation.
Types of Dental Grants in California
In California, access to oral health care services was severely compromised. California and the nation were facing an oral disease situation.
This resulted in increased levels of oral diseases, particularly in the most vulnerable populations: economically disadvantaged, children, elders, and non-white racial and ethnic communities.
This places extreme pressure on limited public health resources, leaving them to provide dental grants to meet the acute care needs of the population.
1. Cosmetic Dental Grants in California
Cosmetic dentistry enhances and improves the appearance of your smile. The comprehensive cosmetic services include crowns, dental bonding, teeth whitening and veneers.
The California Dental Association has given almost $6 million to mobile dental programs and community clinics. To get services, visit https://www.cda.org/Home/Public/Low-cost-Dental-Services.
2. Dental Implant Grants in California
A missing tooth ruins a smile! So, if you’re missing a tooth, it’s the perfect time to get a dental implant.
The cost of dental implants in California is one of the lowest in the United States. Los Angeles offers the most affordable pricing for dental implants at an average of $2,271 per implant, while
Riverside rounds out at a crazy $4,125 each. An honorable mention to a dentist in Sacramento, where it’s $9,100 for a single dental implant!

Dental Grants in California – Oral Health Care Services
Free Dental Implant Clinical Trials
Dental Grants in California – Free Dental Implant Clinical Trials
Dental schools in California look for patients to help students practice what they study.
Dental students at these schools provide oral treatment to the patients under the supervision of a licensed dentist or healthcare professional.
Many organizations also support these clinical trials, as underserved people from vulnerable areas get the opportunity to get free oral care and services.
Free dental implant clinical trials are mainly for those who are looking for tooth replacements or patients with specific oral conditions.
However, not all dental schools in California offer complimentary implants, but low-income adult applicants can get their dental treatment done at an affordable cost.
In addition, if the dental schools are working in association with dental help programs, then the chances are you might get free dental implants.
Check for the Free Dental Implants Clinical Trials in your region here https://www.cda.org
To find the local dentists or dental schools providing dental implants in your area, check out the American Dental Association.
Select your state name to find the contact information of the local dentists and programs funding dental implants in your area.
Donated Dental Services (DDS) provided by Dental Lifeline Network in California
Dental care services are indeed only for eligible applicants, especially children, veterans, and low-income families.
Oral checkups and treatment are provided only to those who qualify for the eligibility criteria set by various non-profit foundations and professional associations.
According to the Delta Dental Services (DDS) program, the dentists and dental clinics in California treat only the eligible patients who are:
- Age 65 years or older
- Medically fragile or compromised
- Dealing with a lifelong disability
- Unable to pay for dental care treatment (low-income individuals & families)
Patients from the following counties can ONLY apply for Dental Services:
- Alameda
- Placer
- San Francisco
- San Mateo
- Santa Clara
Veteran applications are ONLY being accepted from the following counties:
- Los Angeles
As per the data shared by the Dental Lifeline Network, more than 642 dentists and 320 laboratories have volunteered for the treatment of low-income families, individuals, and underserved areas.
In addition, more than $10.4 Million worth of dental procedures have been donated to patients in California to treat more than 2,678 patients through the DDS program.
Conclusion
Fortunately, dental grants in California are available for low-income people who need dental care. Improve your oral health with the best dental procedures and smile confidently!
See Also
Does Medicaid Cover Dental Implants?
Does Medicare Cover Dental Implants?
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