Dental
Program

Dental Program

Program Description:

Dental benefits and plan administration are provided for all state employees, except for employees enrolled into a Union Trust plan (CCPOA Benefits Trust and CAHP Benefits Trust). This includes four prepaid dental plans, one dental indemnity type plan and one preferred provider option (PPO) dental plan. Dental benefits and plan administration are also provided for all eligible state retirees.

The Benefits Administration Manual provides more information on the Dental Program.

For policy information and governing authorities for this program please visit the CalHR HR Manual 1403 Dental.

Eligible Employee:

Enrollment is available to all state employees who are at a time base of half-time or more and have a tenure of six months or more, and permanent intermittent (PI) employees who qualify during their control periods. Eligible represented employees are generally subject to the 24-month enrollment restriction (dental enrollment restricted to prepaid dental plans for first 24 months of employment). CoBen covered employees are not subject to the 24-month enrollment restriction for the state sponsored Delta Dental PPO plus Premier and PPO plans. Enrollment is available to eligible state retirees.

Dental Program Restructure

State employees and retirees currently have access to three types of dental plans, depending on their eligibility: Indemnity and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans administered by Delta Dental; and prepaid plans (DHMO) administered by Delta Dental, MetLife, Premier Access and Western Dental.  

Following a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process, CalHR has selected Delta Dental and MetLife as our carriers for the 2027 plan year. This partnership allows us to: 

  • Expand PPO Options: We are introducing new Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans through MetLife, providing employees with greater flexibility in provider choice and potential cost savings. 
  • Update DHMO Plans: We added implant coverage and cone beam x-ray to align with industry standards.   

The current Metlife Enhanced DHMO plan will be consolidated into the Metlife Standard DHMO plan, which will be renamed to the MetLife Select DHMO plan effective January 1, 2027.

Dental Plan Transition – Western Dental, Premier Access and MetLife Enhanced DHMO (Prepaid) Dental Plans 
Western Dental, Premier Access and MetLife Enhanced DHMO (prepaid) plans will end December 31, 2026. Your department must prepare employees for this transition and support new enrollment.  

Departments must prepare employees for these transitions and support enrollment into the updated 2027 dental plan offerings. 

Effective Immediately – Enrollment Guidance 
Departmental personnel offices are strongly encouraged to: 

  • Limit new enrollments into Western Dental, Premier Access and MetLife Enhanced DHMO (prepaid) plans. 
  • Direct new hires and newly eligible employees to plan options offered through MetLife (Standard) and Delta Dental (DeltaCare). 
  • Provide employees with information on provider networks and plan differences to support informed enrollment decisions. 

Default Enrollment Update 
Employees in the Western Dental, Premier Access or MetLife Enhanced DHMO plans who do not choose a new plan by October 9, 2026, will be automatically enrolled in the MetLife Select DHMO plan effective January 1, 2027. Ensure your team communicates this to employees. 

Key Transition Timeline 

  • Now through December 31, 2026: Western Dental, Premier Access and MetLife Enhanced DHMO plans remain active; however, new enrollments should be minimized.  
  • September 14 – October 9, 2026 (Open Enrollment): Employees select dental coverage for 2027. 
  • December 31, 2026: Western Dental, Premier Access and MetLife Enhanced DHMO (prepaid) plans end. Please be sure to inform your employees and team members of this change.  
  • January 1, 2027: DHMO (prepaid) coverage will be available through MetLife and Delta Dental. 

Departmental Personnel Offices Responsibilities 
Departmental personnel offices must: 

  • Update onboarding and enrollment materials to reflect this guidance. 
  • Support employees in selecting dental plan options aligned with the 2027 transition by providing a copy of dental handbook and available online resources. 
  • Prepare to support employee questions during Open Enrollment and the transition period. 

Additional Information 
CalHR will provide departmental personnel offices with: 

  • Updated plan comparison materials  
  • Communication tools for employee outreach  
  • Detailed enrollment and transition guidance 
  • HR Announcement with email templates to state employees