Medi-Cal Dental in Daly City: Care in English, Spanish or Mandarin

If you have Medi-Cal dental through Health Plan of San Mateo (HPSM), you can ask for care in English, Spanish or Mandarin, and you have the right to a free interpreter at your visit. Our office has Mandarin- and Spanish-speaking team members, takes a limited number of Medi-Cal patients from San Mateo County, and asks that you call first to check current availability.

What does HPSM Medi-Cal dental usually cover?

Medi-Cal dental benefits generally fall into three groups: preventive care (exams, cleanings and X-rays), restorative treatment (fillings and other necessary procedures), and emergency care for pain or injury. State Medi-Cal materials also list items such as root canals, crowns and dentures, but coverage for these depends on your plan and your situation. Some adult benefits are changing as California adjusts coverage for certain groups of adults, and sources differ on timing, so don't assume your benefits are the same as last year's.

Frequency limits, such as how often a cleaning or exam is covered, and the rules for more advanced treatment, vary. The reliable way to check is to ask the HPSM Dental Unit at 650-616-1522 or read your member materials. Wording like "may be covered" is honest here, because the answer depends on your plan and your clinical needs.

How do you get an interpreter for a dental visit?

HPSM offers members a no-cost interpreter for visits, by phone or video in more than 200 languages, and in-person interpreters can be arranged in advance in certain situations, such as sign language or ongoing appointments. Contracted providers, including dental providers, are expected to offer language help to members with limited English. You don't have to bring a family member or a friend to interpret, and you can decline that role for a child or relative.

• Tell our team when you schedule which language you prefer.
• Ask for an interpreter if you want one, even if you speak some English.
• If you need something beyond what we can arrange, HPSM's member services can help. Their main line is 650-616-0050, and TTY users can dial 7-1-1.

HPSM also provides member materials in Spanish and Chinese, as well as Tagalog, and can supply other formats on request.

Why does language matter for understanding a treatment plan?

A dental treatment plan includes terms that are unfamiliar even in your first language: crown, root canal, extraction, periodontal maintenance. Studies on health communication suggest that patients who understand the options, the reasons and the next steps are better able to make decisions they are comfortable with. A dentist will typically explain what is urgent, what can wait, and what the alternatives are.

Good questions to ask in any language:

• What is the problem, and what happens if we wait?
• Is this treatment urgent, or can it be scheduled later?
• Is it expected to be covered by my plan, and who can confirm that?
• What will the visits involve, and how long will they take?

Ask for the plan in writing, and ask to have it explained again in the language you are most comfortable with. Taking your time is reasonable, and a clear explanation should come before any treatment begins.

Getting care from Daly City

We hear from families in Daly City, including Westlake, Serramonte and Southern Hills, who want a dental home where they can talk comfortably about their care. The drive is about 20 to 25 minutes south to Belmont via I-280 or Highway 101, depending on traffic. If transportation is a concern, mention it when you call so we can try to schedule around it.

We are an HPSM-partnered provider, and members can often use their single HPSM member card at the visit. You can read more about Medi-Cal dental care through HPSM. Because we take a limited number of Medi-Cal patients from San Mateo County, call (650) 591-1984 to ask about current availability. We can't promise an appointment before we've checked.

What should you bring to your first visit?

• Your HPSM member card and a photo ID.
• A list of your medications and any health conditions.
• Any recent dental X-rays or records you have.
• Your questions, and your preferred language.

Common questions about Medi-Cal dental and language help

No. HPSM provides interpreter services to members at no cost, and you can ask for one when you schedule or at the visit.

You can choose who you want with you, but you also have the right to use a professional interpreter instead. This is often the better choice for medical or treatment details.

Not necessarily. Benefits and limits vary, so confirm with the HPSM Dental Unit at 650-616-1522 or check your member materials.

Maybe. We accept a limited number of Medi-Cal patients from San Mateo County, so call to ask about current availability.

Ready to ask about an appointment?

If you are an HPSM member serving yourself or your family in Daly City or a nearby city, call our Belmont office at (650) 591-1984 or visit carlmontdentalcare.com to ask about availability and language support. We're at 2100 Carlmont Drive, Suite 8, Belmont, and our team is glad to answer your questions.