California lawmakers are considering several bills to improve and expand access to Denti-Cal, the state's troubled dental program for low-income people - including ones that would draw from the state's new tobacco tax to boost dentists' pay.
Assembly Bill 753, introduced by Assemblywoman Anna Caballero (D-Salinas), would direct money from the state's new tobacco tax to broaden access to Denti-Cal, which for years has been faulted in state and federal reports.
