The Mayor says homeless meth users need free dental care. Her critics are furious.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faces intense backlash from election rivals after arguing that unhoused people cannot get jobs or rebuild their lives without teeth.
It is hard to fix your life when you feel too ashamed to smile or apply for a job. But many voters wonder if buying teeth for drug users is the best way to spend public money.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass spoke at a recent debate about the city's growing crisis. She said many homeless people do not have teeth because of meth use. She argued that the city must provide dental care so these people can find success.
Her remarks quickly drew anger from political rivals and local taxpayers. Former reality TV star Spencer Pratt is running for mayor and posted a video attacking her words. Pratt and other critics say the mayor is focusing on the wrong problems.
The debate comes at a tough time for the city. Los Angeles still has one of the largest homeless populations in the nation. The primary election is set for June 2.
What the money/evidence shows
- 43,000: The number of homeless people in Los Angeles in early February 2025.
- 72: The age of Mayor Karen Bass, who has served since 2022.
- 42: The age of Spencer Pratt, her Republican challenger.
- June 2: The date of the upcoming primary election.
- 1: The number of dental care programs already covered under California's Medi-Cal system.
The Bigger Question
Are we treating the root cause of addiction, or are we just hiding its most visible signs? Giving someone new teeth does not cure a drug habit.
Yet, without teeth, it is almost impossible to get a job and leave the streets behind.
The Other Side
Supporters of the mayor argue that dental care is basic medicine. They believe you cannot heal a person's mind and life if their body is broken and painful. Based on the evidence, this argument is tough to sell to voters who feel public safety is getting worse.
What Happens Now
The debate will likely shape the June primary election. Regular residents in Los Angeles are still dealing with dirty streets and high crime.
They will have to decide if compassion or strict enforcement is the best path forward.
What We Still Don't Know
- How much money does the city currently spend on dental care for unhoused people?
- Will this debate push more moderate voters to support Spencer Pratt?
- How does the city plan to get drug users into rehab before or after they get dental care?
Transparency notes
Published: Jun 5, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.
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Sources
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