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Free Interpreters at the Dentist and How to Ask
By Ross Seymour of Free Dentist Office, a directory of dentists who take Medi-Cal, built from the state's public provider data. It is not run by any state agency.
Medi-Cal pays for an interpreter at your dental appointment, in more than 250 languages and in American Sign Language, at no cost to you. You do not have to bring your own, and you should not have to use your child as one.
- Cost. Nothing. The program pays
- Languages. More than 250, plus American Sign Language
- Who can ask. You, or the dental office on your behalf
- When to ask. When you book, not when you arrive
Why This Matters More at the Dentist Than People Think
Dental appointments are full of decisions. Whether to save a tooth or take it out. Whether something is covered. What to do if the pain comes back at the weekend. Those are hard enough in your own language.
People get through it by nodding, and then find out later they agreed to something they did not understand. An interpreter is not a nicety here. It is how you keep control of your own treatment.
Stop Bringing Your Children to Translate
Families do this everywhere and it is completely understandable. It is also a bad idea, and every clinician will tell you the same thing.
A ten year old does not have the words for an abscess or a consent form, and will often soften bad news to protect you. You end up with a version of the truth. Use the free service instead. It is there precisely so nobody has to do this.
How to Actually Get One
Say it when you book. Tell the office what language you need and they can arrange an interpreter for the appointment. That is the easiest route because they do it regularly.
You can also call the member line yourself and ask for language help. If you have hearing or speech difficulties there is a separate line, and outside its hours the relay service covers it.
Or Find an Office That Already Speaks Your Language
There is a simpler answer when it is available. Some offices already work in Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Farsi, Tagalog, Armenian and others, because the people who work there speak them.
This site lists offices by the language they told the state program they speak. It is the fastest route to an appointment where nobody has to translate anything.
If You Are Refused
You are entitled to this. If an office tells you to bring your own interpreter or refuses to arrange one, call the member line and tell them what happened.
You can also simply choose a different office. There are more of them than most people realize, and being treated properly is worth a longer bus ride.
Before You Spend a Dime
Does the interpreter cost me anything?
No. The program pays for it. You should never be billed for an interpreter.
Can I get one on the phone as well as in person?
Yes. Telephone interpreting is the most common form and it can be used during the appointment itself.
What about sign language?
American Sign Language interpreting is covered. Ask when you book so the office can arrange it in time.
Next Problem to Solve
- Why Offices Say They Take Denti-Cal Then Say They Are FullWhy a dentist can be enrolled in Medi-Cal dental and still not see you, and what to say on the phone to get a real answer.
- What Denti-Cal Pays For. A Plain ListWhat Medi-Cal dental covers for adults and children, what it does not, and how to check before you agree to treatment.
- Dental Care for Your Kids on Medi-CalWhat children get under Medi-Cal dental, when the first visit should happen, and how braces are decided.