There is an ongoing trend within health care toward integration and consolidation of health care delivery systems. This trend is reflected in provisions of the federal Affordable Care Act, such as the envisioned coordination of care provided under a single entity, the "Accountable Care Organization." The objective of such integration and consolidation is to provide better management of care, create greater efficiencies in the provision of care and improve patient outcomes.

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.

President Trump on Friday, March 27, signed into law the third legislative relief package developed by lawmakers to respond to the economic crisis created by the novel coronavirus pandemic. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (HR 748), also known as the CARES Act, is a nearly $2 trillion "Wartime" stimulus intended to protect employers, workers and businesses. CDA is extremely pleased that the legislation appears to give dentists more of the kind of support they need to maintain their practices and protect themselves and their employees.

The California 2022-23 state budget signed by Gov. Newsom includes all of CDA’s priority asks with major investments in health care workforce development and $50 million to build and expand facilities and infrastructure to provide care for dental patients with special health care needs.

Update 11/9/22: The CDA-endorsed ballot measure in Massachusetts – Question 2 – passed in Tuesday's election and will require dental insurance companies to spend at least 83% of premium dollars collected on dental services as opposed to using the money for administrative costs and executive compensation.

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Oct. 8 signed CDA-sponsored legislation that gives California dentists permanent authority to provide influenza and COVID-19 vaccines and obtain the required state registration to process rapid COVID-19 tests in the dental office.

Two CDA-sponsored bills introduced this month, including one authored by Assemblymember Jim Wood, DDS, continue CDA’s legislative efforts to hold dental insurance plans accountable and move toward more meaningful dental coverage.

Legislation introduced this month tackles California’s dental assistant workforce shortage on two fronts – both by updating scope of practice and creating new pathways to licensure, including by shortening the current required on-the-job training.

A significant amount of activity is underway in the U.S. Congress focused on adding dental, vision and hearing benefits to the Medicare program, and the proposals are moving quickly. This communication from CDA supplements what the ADA, media and other sources have shared to give members background and context for the current activity and clarify some common misunderstandings.

The Dental Board of California is undergoing its sunset review in the state Legislature. In Assembly Bill 1519, authored by the Assembly Business and Professions Committee, the dental board provides a status update to the Legislature and identifies opportunities for improvement. CDA has particular interest in three areas of the dental board’s sunset review bill, including clarifying how an applicant can obtain a new license after their initial license has expired.

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. 

As of Jan. 1, 2022, California-licensed dentists who administer or order the administration of general anesthesia, moderate sedation and minimal sedation are subject to new requirements under legislation signed into law in 2018. Dentists can now apply for the new permits.

Dental practices that have been harmed or disadvantaged by the COVID-19 pandemic will find support through CDA-sponsored or supported bills signed into law in recent weeks by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Altogether, the governor signed 14 bills that help dentists practice better and expand access to oral health care.

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Oct. 8 signed into law CDA-sponsored legislation that allows California-licensed dentists to apply for the requisite laboratory licensure to administer rapid COVID-19 tests in the dental office. The new law also gives dentists permanent authority to administer FDA-approved or FDA-authorized COVID-19 and flu vaccines.

May 23 update: Gov. Newsom signed legislation enacting the agreement that revises the state’s MICRA law following approval by the state Legislature on bipartisan and nearly unanimous votes. The legislation takes effect Jan. 1, 2023.

More than 7 million adults enrolled in Denti-Cal, California’s Medicaid dental program, will have a fully restored package of dental benefits in 2018. The adult benefit package was drastically cut in 2009 due to the state budget crisis and was partially restored in May 2014. The restoration of the adult dental benefit services is a result of legislative action taken during the 2017-18 budget process.