Western Dental Thanks Governor and Legislature for Their Work in the First Year of the 2025–2026 Legislative Session

The company looks forward to preserving access to oral health care for millions of Californians.

Orange, California (October 27, 2025) – Following the deadline for Governor Newsom to sign or veto bills from the first year of the 2025-2026 legislative session, Western Dental Chief Executive Officer Preet Takkar issued the following statement:

“We understand the tremendous pressure that legislators and Governor Newsom felt this year navigating a challenging fiscal environment while working to help Californians navigate uncertain and unprecedented times. With budget constraints, concerns about the affordability of day-to-day life, constant attacks from the federal government and more, Californians have faced a tough year but have come out stronger and more resilient because of it.

For Western Dental, we know how important it is to ensure Californians have access to regular, routine dental care, which was preserved in this year’s state budget thanks to the hard work of the legislature and Governor Newsom.

However, unless additional changes are made, access to oral health for millions of Medi-Cal beneficiaries is at risk. Continuing to protect Proposition 56 funding, which goes directly toward ensuring California’s most vulnerable Medi-Cal patients have dental coverage, is essential as policymakers look ahead to 2026.

As the largest provider of Medi-Cal dental, we look forward to working with policymakers in coming months to ensure that funding is allocated as it was intended: to protect and serve the patients who need that care the most.”