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Every residential address in the U.S. can now order a third set of free at-home COVID-19 tests through the federal government.The free tests present an opportunity for California dentists who are complying with the state’s vaccinate-or-test mandate that has been in force since Aug. 23, 2021.

The U.S. Supreme Court last week blocked one federal vaccination mandate for larger employers and upheld another for specified workers nationwide. But regardless of enforceability, the federal rules apply to very few California dental practices, which instead must comply with the stricter state or local vaccination mandate.

The California Department of Consumer Affairs on Jan. 11 reinstated a waiver that temporarily lets dental professionals in California count recorded lectures as live continuing education as long as the courses are web-based and allow participants to interact with the presenter in real time.

The CDA Foundation’s Student Loan Repayment Grant has been awarded annually since 2002. The two recipients of the 2021 grant are Sogole Tabatabaiepur, DDS, and Jose Carrasco Sandoval, DDS.

The Cal/OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards are effective today, Jan. 14, with changes including return-to-work criteria based on employee vaccination status and test results. Isolation and quarantine periods range from 0-10 days for health care personnel based on vaccination status and negative test results.

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Jan. 10 released a state budget proposal that pulls from a projected surplus of $45.7 billion to mitigate the impact of COVID-19, combat the climate crisis, confront homelessness and cost of living and improve safety on community streets. 

The Oakland City Council passed an ordinance that requires individuals ages 12 and older to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination before they can enter certain indoor places. Dental offices were included in the initial proposal, but the Alameda County Dental Society and local community clinics successfully advocated to have dental offices removed to protect everyone's access to essential dental care.

The guidance being issued by multiple federal, state and local agencies remains confusing and complicated, and that confusion is expected to continue over the next several weeks until the omicron surge wanes. Here's information that can help dentists right now.

Every month, CDA spotlights a student from one of California's six dental schools. Get to know CDA’s January 2022 Student Spotlight, Jay Patel from UCLA School of Dentistry Class of 2025.