Senator Aisha Wahab’s Smile Act Passes Assembly Health

Sacramento—SB 980, The Smile Act—authored by California Senator Aisha Wahab (D-Silicon Valley)—expands coverage for dental implant benefits for Medi-Cal recipients, and passed Assembly Health Committee with unanimous bipartisan support.

Ahead of the Assembly Health Committee hearing Senator Wahab stated that with nearly half of the state living at the federal poverty level, Californians need this now more than ever. “This is not a partisan issue, it’s a human rights issue,” she said. “All of us know someone who is on Medi-Cal and will benefit from this particular bill.”

According to the office of Senator Wahab, under Medi-Cal's current policy dental implants are not a covered benefit, unless in very extreme cases which require prior authorization and documented proof to demonstrate an “exceptional medical condition” like: cancer of the mouth; severe loss of upper and lower jaw bone; skeletal deformities; or traumatic destruction of jaw, face or head.

The Smile Act now heads to the Assembly Appropriations where it will likely be placed on the suspense file before heading to the Assembly Floor.