General instructions for accessing oral health care in San Mateo County

Everyone with Medi-Cal insurance coverage in San Mateo County either receives dental insurance coverage through Health Plan of San Mateo Dental or Kaiser Foundation Health Plan- Medi-Cal Dental Fee-For-Service.   

Medi-Cal members should first contact their health plan provider for help in getting connected to a dentist in their network. The health plan staff can ask the right questions of members to figure out what they need, and best direct them to a dental provider.  See information below about HPSM Dental and Kaiser for contact information and website links.  

As of 1/1/24, immigration status does not matter when applying for Medi-Cal. Applying for or using Medi-Cal will not affect your immigration status. The U.S. government does not consider getting health care, food, and housing benefits as part of the public charge rule. 

Half pager in English and Spanish: how to find a dentist in SMC and oral health information links 

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.

• Phone- Medi-Cal Dental Customer Service Center: 1-800-322-6384 (TTY 1-800-735-2922). Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm. 
• Website: Find a Medi-Cal Dental FFS provider here
• Covered services
• Your rights and benefits

Kaiser Permanente Member Services

• Phone: 1-855-839-7613 (TTY 711). 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Website: Medi-Cal changes for members assigned to Kaiser Permanente

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.

• Phone: 1-800-430-4263 (TTY 1-800-430-7077) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The call is free.
• Website: www.healthcareoptions.dhcs.ca.gov

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

• Bring both your HPSM ID card and your Medi-Cal BIC card to your dental appointments.
• Preparing your baby for their first dental visit- for tips on how to prepare your baby for their very first dental visit, click the “Babies” heading here.

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:

• Covered California
• SMC Human Services Agency
• SMC Health Coverage Unit. The SMC Health Coverage Unit can also be contacted via telephone at (650) 616-2002.

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. 

• Daly City -  (650) 301-8600
• Half Moon Bay (Coastside) - 650-573-3941
• Redwood City (Fair Oaks) - (650) 578-7141
• San Mateo - (650) 573-3982

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.

• Coastside Clinic (Half Moon Bay): 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. (650) 573-3941.
• Daly City Clinic: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.  (650) 301-8600.
• Fair Oaks Health Center: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. (650) 578-7141.
• San Mateo Medical Center: 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. (650) 573-3982.

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