Death of Adult Dental Program in California

[UltraTooth]

California is killing off two dental programs - Denti-Cal and Healthy Families. Denti-Cal dies on July 1, 2009 and Healthy Families will last until January 1, 2010. True, these programs were for the "welfare" or low income classes, but a number of corporate dental centers and clinics depended on these programs for up to 40% of their income.

The projections are that the large corporate dental centers will undergo a huge reduction in jobs and will close many facilities. Other practices that participated in these programs on a limited basis (ready cash flow - no collection problems) will find themselves having to fill chair time with patients who still have dental benefits and disposable income.

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[mike3kgt]

California is killing off two dental programs - Denti-Cal and Healthy Families. Denti-Cal dies on July 1, 2009 and Healthy Families will last until January 1, 2010. True, these programs were for the "welfare" or low income classes, but a number of corporate dental centers and clinics depended on these programs for up to 40% of their income.

The projections are that the large corporate dental centers will undergo a huge reduction in jobs and will close many facilities. Other practices that participated in these programs on a limited basis (ready cash flow - no collection problems) will find themselves having to fill chair time with patients who still have dental benefits and disposable income.

Heaven forbid these dentists actually find a way to discuss treatment and cost/benefit values of procedures and learn to have conversations WITH their patients instead of AT their patients and heaven forbid their patients actually take ownership of their mouths and do what a majority of the population does, pay for dental services they receive.

Maybe if they actually pay for fixing their teeth then patients will realize what the true cost of that can of soda or bar of candy is. A toothbrush and toothpaste only costs a few dollars.

I say good riddance.

 

[toothy2112]

California is killing off two dental programs - Denti-Cal and Healthy Families. Denti-Cal dies on July 1, 2009 and Healthy Families will last until January 1, 2010. True, these programs were for the "welfare" or low income classes, but a number of corporate dental centers and clinics depended on these programs for up to 40% of their income.

The projections are that the large corporate dental centers will undergo a huge reduction in jobs and will close many facilities. Other practices that participated in these programs on a limited basis (ready cash flow - no collection problems) will find themselves having to fill chair time with patients who still have dental benefits and disposable income.

Well having lived in CA up until last year I am somewhat relieved they are doing this. It is unfortunate that the dentists who accept this will no longer have a guaranteed income! (For that pop. of pts) I worked in an office where this was the case and eventually all they cared about was the money and not the well being of patients. They saw it as easy money. Thus the quality of the office suffered. Sometimes I would get so upset because I was working full time, going to college and was not offered any type of help from the state. Many of those people were taking advantage of the system. I wish the state would decide to give me something for free since I work so hard to get ahead. But that would be asking for too much! Regardless, it is bad for those who REALLY need it but if CA wants to get back on their feet they must cut out some things😳
Glad I left when I did, things only seem to keep getting worse....lol.