Regulatory Compliance

Intro to Hand Hygiene to help protect you and your patients.

Employers who use the IRS standard mileage to reimburse employees who drive their personal cars on company business rate will need to pay a little more in 2025. The IRS announced on December 19 that the standard mileage rate for business use will increase to 70 cents per mile on January 1, 2025, up from 67 cents in 2024. These rates apply to electric and hybrid-electric automobiles, including gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles.

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

Written informed consent forms for the sedation/anesthesia of a minor patient must now include specific language. CDA has updated the forms to reflect the change. The language is as follows: “The administration and monitoring of general anesthesia may vary depending on the type of procedure, the type of practitioner, the age and health of the patient, and the setting in which anesthesia is provided. Risks may vary with each specific situation. You are encouraged to explore all the options available for your child’s anesthesia for his or her dental treatment, and consult with your dentist or pediatrician as needed.”

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.

As of Jan. 31, 2020, employers should begin using the Form I-9. The new version is dated 10/21/2019 but will not become mandatory until May 1. 

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.

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.

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.

Belmont, Emeryville, Los Altos, City and County of Los Angeles, Malibu, Milpitas, Pasadena, San Francisco, and Santa Monica. Redwood City has joined the list of cities with a new $13.50/hour increase effective 1/1/2019.

The following cities and county will increase their minimum wage on July 1: Alameda, Berkeley, Emeryville, Fremont, City of Los Angeles, County of Los Angeles (unincorporated areas only), Malibu, Milpitas, Pasadena, San Francisco, San Leandro and Santa Monica.

A dental practice that offers patients the option of using a third-party credit program for treatment payment must comply with new requirements. A news article and updated California Commercial Credit Law resource are forthcoming.

The benefit available through California’s State Disability Service program provides wage replacement to workers who take time off from work for an ill child, spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling, or domestic partner, or to bond with a child within one year of birth or adoption. Employers should update practice policies to reflect the increase.

Senate Bill 553 requires employers, with limited exceptions, to establish, implement and maintain an effective workplace violence prevention plan with specified information.

A new California law, SB 1061, preventing most health care debt from being shared with credit reporting agencies, officially went into effect on January 1, 2025. However, the requirement to include specific language in patient financial agreements takes effect July 1, 2025.

On July 1, 2025, California’s Civil Rights Department (CRD) released the official Model Crime Victims Notice, titled “Survivors of Violence and Family Members of Victims Right to Leave and Accommodations.” Employers must provide the new notice to all employees upon hire, annually, upon request by an employee, and when an employee discloses that they or their family member is a victim of crime.

With some exceptions, new dental facilities opened on or after June 14, 2017 (does not include purchase of existing dental facility) must install an amalgam separator by this date and comply with documentation requirements. Separators must be compliant with either the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) American National Standard/American Dental Association (ADA) Specification 108 for Amalgam Separators (2009) With Technical Addendum (2011) or the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 11143 Standard (2008) or subsequent versions so long as that version requires amalgam separators to achieve at least a 95 percent removal efficiency.

Cal/OSHA has issued a July 2025 update to its required “Safety and Health Protection on the Job” notice. Practice owners…

Cal/OSHA regulation (Section 3396) requires an employer to document, either in a separate plan or as part of their injury and illness prevention plan, steps taken to prevent indoor heat illness. See Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Guidance and Resources for more information. For sample language to add to an injury and illness prevention plan, see Infection Control and Cal/OSHA FAQ.

Dental facilities with amalgam separators on June 14, 2017 must replace that separator by this date and comply with documentation requirements. Separators must be compliant with either the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) American National Standard/American Dental Association (ADA) Specification 108 for Amalgam Separators (2009) With Technical Addendum (2011) or the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 11143 Standard (2008) or subsequent versions so long as that version requires amalgam separators to achieve at least a 95 percent removal efficiency.

Prescribers who apply for a new DEA registration, or who want to renew their registration, on or after June 27, 2023 are required to complete 8 hours of education on “treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders.” The hours can be completed with one or more courses from an acceptable course provider. The individual is only required to complete the hours once for DEA registration or renewal. The new requirement is part of the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act that was enacted in 2022 as part of a federal spending bill. For more information see this article.

A list of local public health department orders related to COVID-19 vaccination and masking and to mandatory influenza vaccination which affect dental practices within their respective jurisdiction.

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

A visual resource that provides information on various masks and respirators.  A downloadable and printer-friendly version is available.

The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) has updated Wage Order 4-2001 to reflect the 2017 and 2018 increases in the state minimum wage. The DIR amended sections 4(A) and 10(C), which also reflect updated meal and lodging credit amounts. The correct industry Wage Order bears a revision date of “12/2016,” which is found on the bottom of the cover page for each Wage Order. Although the Wage Orders are dated 12/2016, they were just released by the DIR. Please note: this change comes after the 2017-18 CDA Required Poster Set printing. Each employer/practice owner is required to print and post the updated Wage Order over the top of the old Wage Order contained in the Required Poster Set. The Required Poster Sets will not be reprinted to reflect this change until the next print cycle in 2019.

A dental practice must have a medical emergency kit for their employees as well as their patients. Learn what it should include.