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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.

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 U.S. Congress is working to finalize the details of President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better Act, and the framework of a final deal is near. While the details of the negotiated agreement have not been made public or acted on by Congress, it appears unlikely that a Medicare dental benefit will be included in the final legislation. 

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.

COVID-19’s impact on dentistry remains a top advocacy priority for CDA, and a new bill that CDA is co-sponsoring with the California Medical Association would help to safeguard health care providers’ financial stability during future state emergencies like the current pandemic.

Dentists and other small-business owners suffering ongoing pandemic hardship in California can receive immediate relief through a $7.6 billion legislative package signed into law yesterday by Gov. Gavin Newsom.