Employment Practices

California law will soon bar most employers from penalizing or discriminating against applicants or workers who use cannabis off the clock and away from the workplace. Employers should update their drug test policies before law takes effect.

The California Department of Public Health on Sept. 17 ended the COVID-19 testing mandate for unvaccinated health care workers and other individuals in high-risk settings, which include dental offices.

Guidelines for behavior should exist when practice team members interact with one another outside of the office. TDIC’s Risk Management analysts encourage dentists to promote high standards of behavior inside and outside of the office by clearly defining professional boundaries.

In-office dental assistant training has arrived for the many CDA members who continue to have challenges finding and hiring qualified dental assistants for their practice. The curriculum provides 12 weeks of supportive online learning for use alongside in-office training.

Small businesses in California, including dental practices, with at least one employee who utilizes California’s Paid Family Leave program benefits on or after June 1, 2022, are eligible to apply online for grants up to $2,000 per employee on the leave.
 

The 2022-23 state budget signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom includes all of CDA’s priority asks, making significant gains for dentistry and oral health with major investments in health care workforce development.

Dental assistant training programs are successfully placing graduates in California dental practices. One recent graduate, Liz Martinez, changed her career as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and is now employed by a dental practice in San Francisco.

Dental staffing shortages may make it tempting to offer a position to the first person who turns in an application, but a measured approach to hiring is recommended. Time and planning invested in your practice’s hiring process will save you money, maintain consistency and reduce risks of bad hires.

The current hiring market is very competitive, with a shortage of candidates to fill open positions. CDA Practice Support analysts offer their expert guidance to help guide dental practice owners through the process of recruiting, hiring and retaining employees.

Prioritizing job duty training over educating new employees about crucial office policies can lead to miscommunication and increased risk of misconduct. Minimize risk by documenting your practice’s employment policies, with resources from CDA and TDIC.

CDA’s Practice Support and The Dentists Insurance Company have experienced and increase in calls from dental offices that are unsure of how or if they are required to notify patients after a dentist or staff member tests positive for COVID-19.

A variety of situations can prompt patients who are not local to seek dental care while they are temporarily visiting or residing in your area. As the “secondary“ general dentist, you have more liability exposure than the dentist who is performing their routine dental care. Discover how to mitigate risk when you choose to treat these patients.