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Is it a Scam?

This information aims to assist members in safeguarding themselves by outlining the steps they can take when faced with attempted scams.

Dental Office Waste Management and Disposal Options

Information and options for managing medical, hazardous, and universal wastes. Includes a list of mail-back vendors.

Hiring Temporary Employees Toolkit

Short-term employees are considered employees by the State of California and require additional documentation. This toolkit covers hiring, paying and terminating temporary employees.

Minors, Temporary Employees, Interns, Volunteers and Observers: Rules and Guidance on Hiring and Hosting

This guidance outlines what you need to know when bringing non-traditional workers, temporary employees, minors and observers into the practice, including wage and hour obligations, supervision requirements, patient confidentiality, workplace safety, insurance considerations, and best practices for reducing risk.

Household Hazardous Waste and Small Quantity Generator Programs by County

A list of county programs which allow small businesses to drop-off by appointment their hazardous and universal waste.

Small Employer Guide to California Family Rights Act (CFRA)

A comprehensive resource to help employers navigate the complexities of CFRA compliance as of July 2026, including determining employee eligibility, meeting time-sensitive obligations and managing leave.

Record requests: Does your policy follow the rules?

When a patient requests a copy of their records, the dental practice must follow specific procedures. Written policies regarding how and when you provide a patient with their records ensures your practice team consistently follows both state law and HIPAA rules. Transparent communication with patients will also reduce potential liabilities.

Infection Control and Cal/OSHA FAQ

FAQ on infection control, other Cal/OSHA regulations, training, personal protective equipment and inspections. This resource is part of the Regulatory Compliance Manual. Updated March 2024.

Required Employee Training

A summary of state required employee training that employers are required to provide  and related requirements. Does not include training required for licensure or license renewal.

Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Ordinances by City/County

Individual cities and counties across California have passed local ordinances relating to minimum wage and sick leave laws — with eligibility rules varying from city to city. Check with local city government as to whether any local minimum wage ordinances may apply to employees in your practice. Periodically check local websites as rates in these cities could change at any time.

 

Required Postings in a Dental Office

Lists posters required at dental offices and required pamphlets. Poster sets are distributed to practice owners biennially. This resource is part of the Regulatory Compliance Manual. Updated May 2026.

Artificial Intelligence and Dentistry: Legal and Regulatory Considerations   

The promotion of dental software using artificial intelligence seems overwhelming as vendors and others promote the benefits of their use. The benefit potential of artificial intelligence is high but so are the risks if users implement it without knowing its limitations and potential risks. The dental practitioner must be able to separate the hype from reality, be cognizant of applicable laws and regulations and be transparent with patients and employees when using artificial intelligence in clinical decision-making and procedures, along with administrative functions. This article highlights current laws and regulations and how they impact a dentist’s use of artificial intelligence. It will be reviewed and updated regularly.

Patient Health History Forms: Up-to-date Information Protects You and Your Patient

For the safety of your patients and to provide quality dental care, all medical and dental health information should be current and accurate. Patients must review and update their health history form regularly. Maintaining up-to-date health information is essential to delivering safe, effective care to patients while protecting you from risk.

Sample AI Scribe Patient Consent Form

California eavesdropping law requires an individual give authorization before or when another individual or entity records them speaking in private conversation. This sample consent form is provided in response to increasing interest by dental practices to use artificial intelligence-enabled software to record patients and treatment providers in order to draft notes for the clinical chart.

Job Description Sample Templates

Best practices for developing a job description outlining required qualifications, expectations and job duties for every employee. Includes sample descriptions for key positions in the dental practice.

Information Blocking Rule Q&A

 Learn more about the information blocking rule, which permits patients and others greater access to patient information. The rule is part of the 21st Century Cures Act, a federal law.

Injury and Illness Prevention Plan

Customize sample plan to describe how the practice complies with safe work practices, communicates with staff and more. This resource is part of the Regulatory Compliance Manual. Updated June 2024.

Comprehensive Guide to California's Paid Sick Leave Law

All employers are required to provide a set amount of paid sick leave (PSL) to employees who work California. The law establishes minimum requirements, but employers have options with how they provide and manage the time. 

General New Hire Toolkit

This toolkit covers recruiting, interviewing, hiring and onboarding, and provides a general list of basic hiring documents. 

New Hire Required Forms

Checklist to help prepare for planning an optimal new employee orientation and onboarding process, including lists of forms, acknowledgements and brochures required in CA.

Employee Emergency Contact Form

An employee emergency contact form is an onboarding form that employees can fill out to provide you with their emergency contact information in the event of a practice emergency. Employees may also provide any other information that they think you might need to know in case of an emergency, such as food allergies or allergies to any medications.

Keep this form organized in your employee confidential personnel records and review and update annually.

Know Before They Go: Keeping Your Practice Protected and Productive During Employee Leave

Gauge your understanding of leave management and learn the potential risks of getting it wrong.

March 30, 2026: Collect Employee Emergency Contact Information

By March 30, 2026, employers must allow employees to designate an emergency contact or collect this information from new hires…

January 1, 2026: New Workplace Know Your Rights Act Notice Published

Starting on February 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, employers must provide each current and new employee with a stand-alone written Workplace Know Your Rights Act Notice via regular communication methods (e.g., in person, email, or text). Employers must provide the notice in the language typically used for work-related communications.

Consent Form for Use or Disclosure of Patient Health Information

Sample form to obtain patient consent for use or disclosure of patient information as required by HIPAA and state law.

Uses and Disclosures of Patient Health Information

Both federal and state laws protect patient health information (PHI) in part by establishing rules for its use and disclosure. This article reviews those rules.

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