Connecting $t$-channel Dark Matter Models to the Standard Model Effective Field Theory

We investigate the connection between simplified dark matter models featuring a $t$-channel scalar mediator and the Standard Model Effective Field Theory (SMEFT). We focus on scenarios with fermionic dark matter interacting with leptons, under the assumption of Minimal Flavor Violation. The dimension-six SMEFT Wilson coefficients are computed in the Warsaw basis at one loop, with the aid of Matchete. Assuming a compressed mass spectrum for the dark matter and the mediator, we incorporate coannihilations, Sommerfeld enhancement, and bound-state effects in the relic density calculation. We then analyze the interplay between the dark matter energy density, global SMEFT fits, and direct detection constraints. Our results show that SMEFT bounds, though loop-suppressed, can meaningfully constrain the parameter space for $m_\chi \gtrsim 0.5$ TeV and $\mathcal{O}(1)$ portal couplings.