ORANGE, Calif., June 27, 2017 – As California’s largest dental care provider and the largest provider of Denti-Cal services across the state, Western Dental is greatly encouraged by the budget passed by the California State Legislature and signed today by Governor Jerry Brown.
Included in the budget spending plan was a $140 million investment of Proposition 56 revenues to strengthen the Denti-Cal program.
Western Dental proudly operates more than 160 offices across California and has a great team of more than 4,500 skilled and dedicated professionals that provides more than 1 million patient visits a year to seniors, working families and over half of all treatments to children.
Throughout its history in the Golden State, Western Dental has remained committed to serving low-income children and people across California and continues to believe everyone deserves access to high-quality dental care.
“Western Dental supported the Proposition 56 campaign in 2016 to increase the tobacco tax and improve access to care. We made the case during budget negotiations that these new state revenues be used as voters intended,” said Daniel Crowley, Chairman and CEO of Western Dental. “We are grateful to state legislators and Governor Brown for recognizing the importance of enhancing access to dental care, and achieving a budget agreement that includes the first increase in dental provider rates in more than two decades.”
“Voters who approved Proposition 56 understood the need to improve oral health because of the impact it has on a person’s overall health, and the effects that oral health issues have on school and workplace attendance,” said Dr. John Luther, Chief Dental Officer for Western Dental. “This agreement is a critical first step to improving Denti-Cal and increasing access for millions of children, seniors, and working families who are enrolled in the program.”
Western Dental looks forward to continue its collaboration with California leaders and other stakeholders to ensure state government can maximize its resources, increase the number of dental providers, and thus provide greater access to care that will dramatically improve oral health for the 1 in 3 Californians who depend on our health safety net.
Media Contact:
Jeffrey Weidel
Office: 916-781-0616
Cell: 916-402-7132
jeff@halldinpr.com
ABOUT WESTERN DENTAL
Western Dental (with its affiliate, Brident Dental & Orthodontics) is one of the nation’s largest dental providers and is the leader in accessible, affordable oral health care, serving over two million patient visits annually in more than 220 affiliated clinics throughout California, Arizona, Nevada, and Texas. Western Dental is the #1 provider of orthodontic services in California and last year expanded its network of orthodontists, oral surgeons, pedodontists, periodontists and endodontists, to better service patient needs all within the office.
Western Dental is also the leading provider of services to the Denti-Cal program, part of the Medi-Cal public insurance program that provides health care benefits for more than 13 million low-income individuals and families in California. Western Dental dentists provided care to more than a half-million Denti-Cal beneficiaries in 2016 and is committed to continuing to partner with the State to help improve the program.
All of Western Dental’s services are backed by a unique quality assurance system that electronically monitors all patient visits, treatments, dental staff and clinical performance to enable high-quality care. To learn more about Western Dental or inquire about an office in your community, visit www.westerndental.com or call 1-800-6-DENTAL.