Dental Insurance at PhD Dental

Last updated: November 3, 2026

Insurance questions should not stand between you and dental care. At PhD Dental, we accept Medi-Cal and Denti-Cal and a wide range of PPO dental plans at all eight of our offices across Greater Los Angeles, and we check your coverage before treatment begins: we explain what we found at your exam, what we recommend and why, what your plan covers, and what anything not covered will cost, in writing, before any work begins. Coverage depends on your individual case and your plan’s rules, and treatment is recommended after an evaluation and diagnosis — so the first step is always an exam, and the numbers are always explained before you decide.

What dental insurance plans does PhD Dental accept?

We accept these PPO plans: Aetna PPO, MetLife PPO, Delta Dental PPO, Cigna PPO, Guardian PPO, UnitedHealthcare PPO, Anthem Blue Cross PPO, Blue Shield of California PPO, Humana PPO, Principal PPO, Ameritas PPO, United Concordia PPO, Sun Life PPO, Lincoln Financial PPO, Unum PPO, The Hartford PPO, Renaissance Dental PPO, Premier Access PPO, and Health Net PPO. PhD Dental is in network with Delta Dental at all eight offices. Please note we do not accept any HMO plans at this time. If your plan is a PPO, call us and we will verify your benefits before your visit.

We accept Medi-Cal. We accept Denti-Cal.

Do you accept PPO insurance?

Yes. PhD Dental accepts PPO insurance plans at all eight of our locations. What a PPO plan covers differs from plan to plan and from patient to patient: two people with the same carrier can have different benefits, and coverage for a specific treatment depends on the individual case and the plan’s rules. That is why we verify your benefits before treatment begins and explain what your plan covers for the treatment the dentist recommends after your evaluation — with a clear cost breakdown in writing before any work begins, so there are no surprises.

Do you accept HMO insurance?

No. PhD Dental does not accept HMO insurance plans at any of our offices. We do accept PPO plans and Medi-Cal and Denti-Cal at all eight locations. If you are not sure whether your plan is an HMO or a PPO, call one of our offices and we will be happy to help you check.

Does PhD Dental accept Medi-Cal or Denti-Cal?

Yes. We accept Medi-Cal and Denti-Cal at every PhD Dental location. Our team can check your coverage before your appointment and explain which services your benefits cover. If you are not sure about your eligibility or current status, call the office nearest you and we will verify it with you. Our oral surgeon, Dr. Hassan Haidar, is contracted with Medi-Cal and Denti-Cal, and he sees patients across our offices on scheduled days.

What does Medi-Cal Dental cover for adults?

More than most people think. For adults with full-scope Medi-Cal, Medi-Cal Dental covers exams, x-rays, cleanings and fluoride once every 12 months, fillings, crowns when a tooth needs one, root canals on front and back teeth, deep cleaning for gum disease, partial and full dentures, extractions, emergency care, and sedation when it is medically necessary. It does not cover cosmetic treatment like whitening or veneers, and dental implants are generally not a covered benefit. Many Medi-Cal procedures require approval from the program before treatment; where approval is needed, we submit the request for you, as described below, and the plan makes the final decision. Call us and we will check your coverage and explain what your benefits cover before your visit.

Does Medi-Cal cover dental care for children?

Yes. Children and teens with Medi-Cal get full dental coverage — checkups, cleanings, fluoride, x-rays, fillings, crowns, extractions, and care for emergencies — with no yearly dollar limit. Checkups and cleanings are covered every six months, and babies can be seen from their first tooth. Children are welcome at every PhD Dental office, and Playhouse Dental, our Lynwood office for kids, is set up just for younger patients. Call the office nearest your family and we will check your child’s coverage before the visit.

Do you accept L.A. Care?

L.A. Care is a Medi-Cal health plan. It is not a dental plan. Dental coverage for L.A. Care members is through Medi-Cal Dental, also called Denti-Cal. We accept Medi-Cal and Denti-Cal at all eight of our offices. In Los Angeles County, some Medi-Cal members are assigned to a dental plan, such as LIBERTY Dental. Call the office nearest you and we will check your coverage before your visit.

How does PhD Dental verify benefits and handle approvals?

Call us before your appointment, or bring your insurance information to your visit, and we will verify your benefits and explain what your plan covers before treatment begins. For Medi-Cal treatment that needs the program’s approval first, we handle the request in-house and submit it electronically, with x-rays, as soon as the diagnosis is made — a decision typically takes about two to four weeks, the plan makes the final decision, and we let you know as soon as it comes back. If a request is denied, ask us what was denied and why: often the fix is more documentation, and our office can resend the request with stronger records and x-rays.

Can I get dental care without insurance?

Yes, you can see a dentist without insurance. Many of our patients pay for care directly, and we give you a written cost estimate before treatment starts, so there are no surprises. Without insurance, a new-patient exam with a full set of x-rays costs $69 as a package — the exam and x-rays cannot be unbundled. A basic cleaning with fluoride starts at $125. We also offer in-house payment plans and financing options if you would like to spread out payments. Call an office to talk through your options and book a visit.

Will I know what my treatment costs before it starts?

Yes. Before treatment begins, we explain what we found, what we recommend and why, and what it will cost — and we answer your questions patiently, however many you have. Treatment we recommend is based on medical necessity; elective care is always your choice. If part of a treatment plan is not covered by your plan, we tell you that plainly and give you the cost in writing before you decide.

Dental insurance across Greater Los Angeles

PhD Dental has eight offices across Greater Los Angeles — Los Angeles, Inglewood, Lynwood Adults, Lynwood Kids (Playhouse Dental), Pico Rivera, Compton, Westchester, and Norwalk — and every office accepts Medi-Cal, Denti-Cal, and the PPO plans listed on this page, so you can use your coverage at the office closest to you. Our team is gentle and patient, and we explain each step before we start. New patients and walk-ins are welcome at all eight offices, patients in pain are a priority, and we do our best to see emergencies the same day. Four offices — Los Angeles, Inglewood, Lynwood Adults, and Lynwood Kids (Playhouse Dental) — are also open on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Our staff speaks English and Spanish.

Book a visit at PhD Dental

Call the PhD Dental office closest to you to start with an exam and a full set of x-rays for $69 without insurance — the exam and x-rays are a package and cannot be unbundled — or to have us verify your PPO, Medi-Cal, or Denti-Cal benefits before your visit. Walk-ins are welcome at all eight offices. Four offices — Los Angeles, Inglewood, Lynwood Adults, and Lynwood Kids — are open on Saturdays, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM.