Access to dental care for millions of Californians is tied to coverage by California’s Medicaid (Medi-Cal) Dental insurance program. While child dental coverage is federally mandated, adult dental coverage is optional. In 2009, adult dental coverage was mostly eliminated but was partially reinstated in 2014 followed by several other policy initiatives designed to improve dental care access. Healthforce Center’s Associate Director of Research Beth Mertz has been leading a team to analyze Medi-Cal claims and provider data and understand how well these policies worked to incentivize provider participation and improve dental care access for adults enrolled in Medicaid. This policy explainer details each of the policies impacting the Medi-Cal Dental program from 2014 through mid-2023. This document serves as a reference for advocates and researchers examining access to dental care and as a supplement to subsequent research reports.