Are You In Compliance?

Under the Affordable Care Act, dentists participating as providers in the Denti-Cal, Medicare Advantage and CHIP (formerly known as Healthy Families) programs and those who have received Meaningful Use funding are required to comply with new federal nondiscrimination policies. They must post a notice of nondiscrimination, post taglines in the top 15 non-English languages spoken in California and offer free language assistance, and post information regarding grievance procedures for practices with 15 or more employees. Also, they must complete and submit the Assurance of Compliance Form (HHS 690) to the Office of Civil Rights. The form may also be reviewed and electronically submitted through this website.

Dental practices must post the revised Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA) Minimum Wage Poster, no smaller than 11 inches by 17 inches, as well as the revised Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) Poster.

Under the Affordable Care Act, dentists participating as providers in the Denti-Cal, Medicare Advantage and CHIP (formerly known as Healthy Families) programs and those who have received Meaningful Use funding are required to comply with new federal anti-discrimination policies. They must provide interpreters or translators to patients with limited English proficiency, ensure accessible online appointment systems and billing, ensure employee health plans are in compliance with anti-discrimination laws, and comply with standards concerning dental facility alterations or new construction.

Dentists contracted with dental plans must respond to a plan's request for accurate directory information within 30 days or face payment delays, reimbursement reductions or, ultimately, termination of their participating provider agreement. Dental practices are required to provide timely practice updates, including practice address, license number, and other information.

All prescribers in California with U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration registrations are required to register to access California's prescription drug monitoring program, known as CURES 2.0.

Each individual licensed or permitted by the Dental Board of California or the Dental Hygiene Committee of California must submit an email address to the Dental Board. Send an email to [email protected], using the subject line "Electronic Mail Address Requirement" and include in the body of the email the individual's name, license type, license number and email address. The electronic mail address shall be considered confidential and not subject to public disclosure.

Dental practices must have updated hazard communication plans and safety data sheets (SDS), place appropriate labels on secondary containers and train all staff on new chemical labeling and classification systems. CDA has developed a sample hazard communication plan and PowerPoint presentationfor use in dental practices.

Amendments to California's Fair Employment and Housing Act regulations, which generally apply to employers of five or more employees, require employers to develop and distribute antidiscrimination, anti-harassment and complaint investigation policies. CDA has developed sample policy language and a sample employee manual template for dental practices.

Dental practices must post California's Whistleblower Protection notice, printed no smaller than 8.5 inches by 14 inches, as well as Notice to Employees – Injuries Caused by Work, in both English and Spanish if dentists have Spanish-speaking employees.

All employers in California are required to provide their employees a minimum of three paid sick days per year. Calculated at one hour for every 30 hours worked, sick pay can be accrued over time or given as a lump sum. CDA offers numerous resources on navigating sick law, including a breakdown of sick leave ordinances by city and county.