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California’s health care community, including CDA and The Dentists Insurance Company, has reached an agreement that will extend the long-term predictability and sustainability of the state’s medical professional liability  law — the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA). 

Student representatives from six California dental schools met earlier this year with state legislators to discuss critical issues affecting dentistry and oral health as part of  Grassroots Advocacy Days. The students highlighted solutions through state budget funding and CDA-sponsored legislation.

When using telehealth services, patients must be adequately informed about their health plan coverage limitations and options so they can make informed choices about the care they receive. A CDA-sponsored bill will inform patients and protect the provider-patient elationship.
 

CDA’s legislative and budget advocacy agenda for 2022 is focused on two key areas: addressing dental workforce shortages that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and expanding access to dental care for vulnerable populations. 

CalAIM is a multiyear initiative by the Department of Health Care Services that aims to improve the quality of life and health outcomes of the Medi-Cal population by implementing broad delivery system, program and payment reform across Medi-Cal.

California dentists have a new voice at the table in state government. Gov. Gavin Newsom has selected Nader A. Nadershahi, DDS, MBA, EdD, dean of the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry to serve on a brand-new council that is responsible for helping to coordinate workforce education and training to meet the state’s health care needs.

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.

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.