Are You In Compliance?

Senate Bill 501, which changed requirements to hold general anesthesia and sedation permits, took effect. Any holder of a general anesthesia, conscious sedation or oral conscious sedation for minors permit is required to apply for a new permit once their current permit expires after Jan. 1, 2022. Implementing regulations and permit applications became available in August 2022. See the news article for more information.

Employers have until July 31 to update the I-9s of current employees who presented an expired List B document between May 1, 2020, and April 30, 2022. Employers were permitted to accept certain expired documents under the COVID-19 Temporary Policy for List B Identity Documents. That policy expired on April 30, 2022.

On July 1, 2022, minimum wage increases take effect in several California localities and may require updated postings. See Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Ordinances by City/County on cda.org

Dentists are authorized to administer flu and COVID-19 vaccines. The Dental Board has adopted related regulations on training, continuing education, notification and reporting.

Employees who work for employers of 26 or more employees are entitled to up to 80 hours of COVID-19 related sick leave. Upon request, retroactively from January 1, 2022 to September 30, 2022. Employers must post this notice and begin compliance by February 19, 2022.

The minimum wage for a large employer with 26 or more employees in California will increase from $14 per hour to $15 per hour, and employers with 25 or fewer employees will increase from $13 per hour to $14 per hour on Jan. 1, 2022. These increases effect both hourly and salaried employees. Some cities and counties have their own ordinances beyond what is required by state law - new to the list is increased minimum wage and paid sick leave for West Hollywood. CDA provides a guide to minimum wage ordinances by city and county and employers are advised to check with their local jurisdictions to ensure they are in compliance.

SB 501 established new requirements for dentists administering or ordering the administration of general anesthesia, deep sedation, and minimal sedation. The legislation called for the new requirements to be implemented by Jan. 1, 2022. However, regulations are still being promulgated. CDA will update members on impacts to current and new permit holders as information becomes available. Review a summary of those requirements in Sedation and Anesthesia Permits.

The California Department of Industrial Relations has released an updated notice since the print date of the 2021-22 poster set. Download and print the posting listed below for use with your current set. 

Safety and Health Protection on the Job revised March 2021 Print on 11 X 17 paper only

Dentists, registered dental assistants and registered dental hygienists whose active license expires Oct 2021 are granted an extension of time to complete continuing education required for license renewal. The CE must be completed by March 28, 2022. Read more in this DCA order.

Except in those communities where more stringent requirements apply, dental health care workers are required to comply with the California Department of Public Health July 26 order to either be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or test weekly. Employers are required to maintain documentation of both vaccination and testing. The department’s Aug 5, 2021 order does not apply to dental practices.