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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. 

Every month, CDA spotlights a student from one of California's six dental schools. Get to know CDA’s July 2021 Student Spotlight, Jasleen Kaur from UCSF School of Dentistry class of 2021.

CDA Practice Support continues to hear from member dentists impacted by Delta Dental of California’s contractual change under Participating Dentist Rule 2, Basis of Fees that took effect September 15, 2018. Dental practices can take action annually to avoid negative impacts.

The increase and severity of  ransomware attacks prompted the Biden administration on June 2 to issue an open letter to business leaders asking them to treat the threat of ransomware attacks with great urgency.

Registered dental assistants and dental assistants in extended functions who are applying for licensure in California have additional time to complete their examination requirements. The DCA approved a waiver for RDAs and RDAEFs whose clinical exams have been delayed due to the pandemic. 

Every month, CDA spotlights a student from one of California's six dental schools. Get to know CDA’s June Student Spotlight, Andy Tawfik from Western University School of Dentistry class of 2022. 

Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, dentists and other prescribers in California must issue electronic-data prescriptions for both controlled and noncontrolled substances with very few exceptions. Paper prescriptions will no longer be allowed by state law. All pharmacies in California must be capable of accepting those prescriptions.

How does your practice navigate unpredictable times? Beyond the challenges of the past year, dentists often face incidents they can’t anticipate or prevent. But they can be prepared and choose how they respond. Reporting every incident, accommodating modified duties and reducing return-to-work risks are important steps.

Cindy Hartwell, dental benefits analyst at CDA Practice Support, reviews how a dental practice can bill properly by registering all treating dentists in the practice with the dental plan or plans.