Legislation

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A new California law will help inform patients who use telehealth about their health plan coverage limitations and options so they can make informed choices about the care they receive. It takes effect in January 2023.
 

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. 

CalAIM is a multiyear initiative by the Department of Health Care Services that aims to improve the quality of life and health outcomes of the Medi-Cal population by implementing broad delivery system, program and payment reform across Medi-Cal.

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.

A bill imposing a sales tax on e-cigarettes sold in California was signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom and will take effect July 1, 2022. The new tax will provide ongoing funding for the CalHealthCares Student Loan Repayment Grant and other education and health care programs in the state.