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Gov. Gavin Newsom on Oct. 8 signed CDA-sponsored legislation that gives California dentists permanent authority to provide influenza and COVID-19 vaccines and obtain the required state registration to process rapid COVID-19 tests in the dental office.

Student loan borrowers in California have new protections against lenders’ and servicers’ unfair, deceptive and predatory practices under the state’s new Student Borrower Bill of Rights. 
 

The California Department of Health Care Services has awarded $69.4 million toward student loan repayments for 249 physicians and 41 dentists to expand health care access for Medi-Cal patients.

The California Legislature approved a state budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year that upholds the will of the voters when they passed the Proposition 56 tobacco tax in 2016. The budget makes significant investments in Medi-Cal Dental improvements, workforce development and coronavirus relief. 

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s revised 2021-22 state budget proposal includes major opportunities for dental practices and oral health care programs in California. The proposal provides additional relief for small businesses impacted by COVID-19 plus new funding for dental workforce development and Medi-Cal Dental Program improvements.

Dr. Tippett-Whyte discusses the latest developments with Delta Dental's planned fee cuts and provides insight on CDA’s ongoing advocacy efforts to ensure Delta Dental honors its obligation to providers.

CDA advocacy placed California ahead of the curve for enabling dentists to vaccinate individuals against COVID-19 when the Department of Consumer Affairs granted a public health emergency waiver on Jan. 4. Other states soon followed, passing legislation or issuing waivers and governors’ executive orders that allow dentists to administer the COVID-19 vaccines.

New opportunities are opening for dentists who wish to support the statewide vaccine efforts. Dental professionals play a role in helping the state meet the vaccination demand and can contribute by volunteering at vaccination sites and educating patients about COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy.

The Achievement award recognizes CDA for its unwavering advocacy efforts to successfully create an alternative pathway to timely licensure for graduating dental students whose clinical exams were canceled or postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.