[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6626937,"mediaKeyId","2733408-5758d2b66f6d05720d7615cf9f6a2a75","parentId",2733408,"title","Legislation roundup: dental hygiene committee sets positions on a slate of bills including fluoride coverage and workforce provisions","audioSeconds",10515,"startMs",11205000,"endMs",21720000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2733408-5758d2b66f6d05720d7615cf9f6a2a75&start=11205&end=21720","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2733408-5758d2b66f6d05720d7615cf9f6a2a75/thumbnail_11205000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6626937/California/Legislation-roundup-dental-hygiene-committee-sets-positions-on-a-slate-of-bills-including-fluoride-coverage-and-workforce-provisions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6626937-647fc80c370ab1cf2dc67cc597011172/orig.mp4?Expires=1770446218&Signature=JwVtnXqNx2HgabVY3AYMHi3celORfnR23NPREfpTSWYhC3ZWYBue1PaFRohTCzIT9-JigLFuArCl6I0ukchXEsBwCKCEZ98EbJKA5TxdaqJKjvkmgHEBRVljv-txheJz527tQCQOG2LxXUfITVGV~exGdim0k-Qr8Zd8msQFa8P4~NQoQbf1~DYTeAHLSRk0In1FNNRl~Nff8OobXCqb4rKprPfcdGmGFpLBr4HNp3z7qh15B0Z0drfJG0OzQWyyNEQI883V3m34jJQwrbFkj4-pmFzTO0zgDYRv7yOTwL8~jCbN~mQgW8NWjLjj-xNMul-MA4pqy6X0RncSmai2lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Respiratory Care Board of California","date","2025-03-22T04:19:58.423Z","article","The Dental Hygiene Board’s Legislative and Regulatory Committee reviewed several bills of interest and recommended positions for the full board to consider.

Key recommendations included a staff‑recommended support position on Assembly Bill 350 (fluoride varnish coverage for children up to age 21), a recommendation to watch AB 341 (technical assistance center for oral health for people with disabilities), and a recommendation to oppose AB 873, which would have extended the period in which an unlicensed dental assistant could complete an 8‑hour infection‑control course after beginning employment.

Committee members discussed AB 341 (a proposal to contract with a California dental school to establish a technical assistance center to increase desensitization and other techniques to reduce reliance on sedation for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities). Some board members and public commenters supported inclusion of RDHAPs and other dental‑hygiene programs in any resulting program to avoid disrupting existing, locally effective RDHAP‑led desensitization and outreach efforts.

On AB 350 (fluoride treatments in primary care settings), committee staff recommended support; commenters and association representatives said the bill would expand preventive access points and recommended language ensuring linkage to a dental home and referral when needed.

On AB 873 (infection control timing), the committee heard strong concerns from hygienists and educators that permitting extended work with patients before a full 8‑hour infection control course posed consumer‑protection risks. The committee recommended an oppose position on that bill in light of those concerns.

After discussion the committee voted to recommend the following positions to the full board: watch AB 224, watch AB 341 (support if amended to include RDHAPs, per public comment), support AB 350, watch AB 371, watch AB 489, oppose AB 873, watch AB 966, watch SB 62, and watch SB 351. The committee asked staff to prepare formal letters and informed the board these positions are based on the bills as written at the time of committee review and may be revised if bills are amended.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Dental Hygiene Board of California- Meeting- March 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board’s Legislative and Regulatory Committee recommended positions on multiple bills — supporting fluoride‑treatment coverage for children, watching several health‑policy measures, and opposing a proposal to allow unlicensed dental staff extended time before completing an 8‑hour infection‑control course.","taxTitle","Respiratory Care Board of California, Boards and Commissions, Executive, California","taxId",76751,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6626942,"Board approves clarifying amendments and application form for RDHAP physical facility registration (16 CCR §1116.5)",1948,9038000,10986000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2733408-5758d2b66f6d05720d7615cf9f6a2a75&start=9038&end=10986","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2733408-5758d2b66f6d05720d7615cf9f6a2a75/thumbnail_9038000.jpg","/articles/6626942/California/Board-approves-clarifying-amendments-and-application-form-for-RDHAP-physical-facility-registration-16-CCR-11165","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6626942-25257208a25c6d82be1a1bd27d02a163/orig.mp4?Expires=1770446218&Signature=jRoo09UAevPVQtuhA9Hvhzfsk49tjAbWX9PyAuKXP4633zsjRRhuR-2jXgcYPUsUeZJ6HA4amE-zJTSz0KXSVkcO8NDif-HNbj0ixq5CqQ-9yTw4q69PilnpEwtBw66X0H5g7jQktuwMuCLP04L-gfqBI4d5mwpg6fSwzJ2clziytEoOGjWkCFV3Ct0XLxemsv8hwVkk4Y~0M18BL4xWns1AehhjXXnAiiUn60M9tRwr1B4Vg8NwllvTVCA1t4a03qAIcQgttGZq3Smri0Cx0Xgtq6SAn4lQLn1DEgKIBa2k67N6kqqnFli-64gQqzuMEdxOisIp7lIdBjeY7WdNJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dental Hygiene Board approved amendments to 16 California Code of Regulations section 1116.5 and an updated application form clarifying registration requirements for registered dental hygienists in alternative practice (RDHAP) who maintain physical facilities or only store portable equipment.

The legislation and regulatory committee voted to authorize staff to proceed with rulemaking; the motion directed staff to submit the proposed text and form to the Department of Consumer Affairs and to the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency for review.

Board staff explained the changes were intended to remove confusion about whether an RDHAP who maintains portable equipment but does not treat patients at a fixed location must meet full facility requirements such as ADA access, onsite toilet facilities or an automated external defibrillator (AED). The approved amendment clarifies that RDHAPs who only maintain portable equipment and do not provide treatment at a fixed facility are exempt from certain subsections (c), (e) and (g) of the regulation. The amendment also clarifies that an RDHAP who does not administer local anesthesia is not required to have a self‑contained emergency oxygen unit for the facility registration.

Kirsten Anderson and other public commenters raised practical concerns about obtaining prescriptions or sourcing oxygen and AED equipment, noting RDHAPs may have difficulty securing prescriptions to purchase devices in rural settings. Board staff and the committee noted the legislative origin of some requirements (for example, oxygen for local anesthesia) and advised that any change to prescriptive authority would require statutory change.

Motion language authorized technical, non‑substantive edits and directed staff to begin the rulemaking process; the committee approved and the full board recorded an aye vote.","The board approved revised regulatory text and an updated application clarifying when an RDHAP registering a physical facility must meet ADA, toilet and AED requirements, and when those requirements are not applicable for portable equipment storage.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6626947,"Board disapproves Concord Career College schedule; finds terms fall short of 10‑week instruction requirement",3581,3094000,6675000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2733408-5758d2b66f6d05720d7615cf9f6a2a75&start=3094&end=6675","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2733408-5758d2b66f6d05720d7615cf9f6a2a75/thumbnail_3094000.jpg","/articles/6626947/California/Board-disapproves-Concord-Career-College-schedule-finds-terms-fall-short-of-10week-instruction-requirement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6626947-849bc3ddfadc66b52040704682848f55/orig.mp4?Expires=1770446218&Signature=A3K89C-vQSSnPO6QzydNhEDbbD1c~LlRcGU7indcAN9ymGqXlcNSBODu7okLrUeYjfi9WuQ1LTSHKCC~4uHZd-YnXI85XiIxoF9SuGsinkoRhdqsNyyeGLk2O8gtfyD4C8PkomcEAwn1SN3G~xZG~y1PWZkc875pDbWgbuoK-CtR6Y~fOTedfPd9DhH57q7n0y~Rg1FFqnNtu-ODXtrEY0z9YIuk2mF-cUqJiqycTvM1LBtwUV~fddfH~Ni4H7itmB3S34nJ5Jny2lkCuXGNUmqL2DCFlKGVlk-Rwarjut7fj1QK14s5WlSaftdNzUiDHptZg23cMeQK4iv2bhQL7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dental Hygiene Board’s education committee voted to recommend disapproval of Concord Career College’s request to accept its existing nine‑week‑plus‑finals term schedule for dental hygiene programs at Garden Grove, San Bernardino and San Diego.

The committee’s motion to disapprove was seconded and carried after extended discussion of academic‑year and quarter definitions in the California Code of Regulations. Board staff presented the board’s position that a quarter (and a community college term deemed equivalent to a quarter) requires at least 10 weeks of instruction and that final exam days in Concord’s current schedule were recorded as part of “lecture 10” in prior materials.

Concord representatives argued the programs meet or exceed minimum contact hours and that the schedule is an established accelerated model used by adult learners. Attorney Edward Kramp said the programs have historically operated in the 9‑plus schedule and that students plan their lives around accelerated terms; program director Kimberly Pennington said the institution can schedule instruction in the final week alongside finals to preserve study time.

Board reviewers said Concord’s posted schedules showed nine weeks of instruction with finals during the 10th week, a pattern that left the term short of the 10 full weeks the board requires for a quarter/term. “A quarter means at least 10 weeks of instruction,” board staff reminded the committee, citing 16 CCR §11.03(z) and related provisions used in the board’s academic year definition.

Faculty and student statements collected during site visits raised concerns about the compressed schedule’s effects on learning and student wellbeing. The committee debated the provenance and timing of several anonymous letters from Concord faculty; staff said the letters were unsolicited and included in the meeting materials.

The committee’s motion recommended disapproval of Concord’s current academic schedule; staff said Concord submitted a separate modification request that would revert the program back to a 10‑week instructional schedule with appropriate inter‑term breaks and that the board and staff would continue to work with Concord ahead of compliance deadlines.

Votes at a glance: The education committee recommended disapproval; roll call recorded ayes from Michael Long, Sherman King, Justin Matthews, Joanne Pacheco and Lehi Lolly Tribble Agarwal. The motion passed.","The board recommended disapproval of Concord Career College’s nine‑week instructional terms where the 10th week is used primarily for finals, citing 16 CCR definitions that equate a quarter/term to at least 10 weeks of instruction.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6626952,"Board approves Cabrillo College shift to biennial dental hygiene cohort amid budget pressures",1097,2582000,3679000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2733408-5758d2b66f6d05720d7615cf9f6a2a75&start=2582&end=3679","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2733408-5758d2b66f6d05720d7615cf9f6a2a75/thumbnail_2582000.jpg","/articles/6626952/California/Board-approves-Cabrillo-College-shift-to-biennial-dental-hygiene-cohort-amid-budget-pressures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6626952-6f5c350542a9fca94ee201dbab7fca51/orig.mp4?Expires=1770446218&Signature=UleZBsIF7CzvgAhek-4Rmd89ckgk1hQRxmvSuIth4F8QqBVHlMEVdnP8WCFXNQbTdZS~bGsIp9zyZpgShBxnG3FZ4iguRuq12sA6sGyQEg~siezrlRVOWNC2VYbU~KgYvEJVJRSpJOoJxQv8Ci-8isNIitDuCH-350b0n8aIl~g5-0tfkn8ct5~aO4f-3DEk52cT~g23mqd4R-abThGznTbMpcsNqkUAGuEUhUfnza~YnaY53PP5ArT7NknPU6wF1X8VZ~KyzHOZiKNM8LiqzKPXbEkCWahaAV~spGYXKoC4yNWwFNCLsbOq~ZD2eBxIZC-uFoXUtBYPtlHPfL~vTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dental Hygiene Board voted to approve Cabrillo College’s request to change its dental hygiene program enrollment pattern to admit 20 students every other year rather than annually.

The education committee moved the recommendation to approve the change; Justin Matthews made the motion and Sherman King seconded. After committee discussion and a roll call, the motion passed.

Cabrillo representatives told the board the request responds to fiscal challenges driven by shifts in the California community college funding formula, declining enrollments and reduced revenue streams formerly supported by professional development courses. President Matt West and program staff said the college needs to reduce program capacity to maintain fiscal stability while preserving program quality.

College leaders described prior revenue from weekend “expanded duties” courses used by working professionals that generated fees the program had relied on; those courses are decreasing because of regulation changes and will no longer sustain faculty salaries as they once did. President West said the combination of reduced state funding and diminished non‑tuition revenue prompted the request. “Our funding formula…represents a possible loss of cost of living adjustments…declining enrollment and the demographic challenges that we face in our district,” he told the committee.

Public commenters and advisory‑board members asked about continuity of care for patients served by the program’s clinic and whether partnerships would redirect cases that students cannot complete. Cabrillo said faculty numbers will be maintained and community partners such as low‑income clinics can receive referrals when students are unable to provide needed treatment.

The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) had already approved Cabrillo’s change; Cabrillo provided documentation to the board during the meeting.

Votes at a glance: The committee recommended approval; roll call recorded ayes from Michael Long, Sherman King, Justin Matthews, Joanne Pacheco and Lehi Lolly Tribble Agarwal. The motion passed.","Cabrillo College will admit cohorts of 20 dental hygiene students every other year after the board approved a change in enrollment pattern, citing fiscal constraints and state funding formula pressures.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6626956,"Board provisionally approves California Baptist University bachelor’s dental hygiene program",989,1606000,2595000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2733408-5758d2b66f6d05720d7615cf9f6a2a75&start=1606&end=2595","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2733408-5758d2b66f6d05720d7615cf9f6a2a75/thumbnail_1606000.jpg","/articles/6626956/California/Board-provisionally-approves-California-Baptist-University-bachelors-dental-hygiene-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6626956-1d3b8e44f723fd44384836a2b493fd5a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770446218&Signature=UvO5VPQ6Pyx~N8Woyp08jlDzj7zi4vOzQsL-GZNj1MXqSQ6J9SS7OsotoykMh3qDNO6Ft6Q4eYKSeTV3IkAy7E4o7jMC2r7e4PtmjIsfkRLUKOV12U21nmeKxD3EaNMPSWD7Fa~EuOlxwB4AFvPZTLkgEb50o3EZtNSC0d0RV5IaVwiQQkYRx2J4VL0fDwWzixGrpz5-OYIDCyH7PHduZN7A0snMU9d-1r2y1gqGpJnz0zYnXl4a8dKuC10Wv5Gmx7ARSjD6ZnzHKVB2geGvqbbqQYMhPokfya3pjm0BvWwuoo96-8K55~P5~h8N~8mnNnyVFfub4YdOC54JP28STQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dental Hygiene Board of California provisionally approved California Baptist University’s proposed Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene on March 21, voting that the program may begin subject to a two‑year, extendable probationary period.

Board member Justin Matthews moved the education committee recommendation to provisionally approve; Joanne Pacheco seconded the motion. The committee recorded a unanimous vote in favor; the motion was then transmitted to the full board as part of the committee’s actions.

Board staff said California Baptist University (Cal Baptist) submitted a letter of intent on Dec. 5, 2024, and a feasibility study on Jan. 9, 2025, proposing the program to serve Riverside and other Inland Empire communities. David Pierce, dean of the College of Health Science at California Baptist University, described the program as part of a broader effort to address workforce shortages and bring patient care to campus through a renovated facility. “We have quite a bit of need, and so we have a lot that’s underserved,” Pierce said during the committee presentation.

Kelly Donovan, the program’s founding director, described the school’s plan and noted the program’s focus on clinical training and community outreach.

Public commenters included Susan McLaren of the California Dental Hygienists’ Association (CDHA), who praised the report but questioned how graduates would address access in counties with few dentists, saying, “How, because your graduates will need to work for a dentist … how do you plan to improve access to care in that area?” Elena Francisco, a commenter and educator, asked whether the university has a plan to develop more qualified educators to staff a new program.

Board staff and university representatives responded that Cal Baptist would consult with staff at each stage of program development and that the university is considering future advanced‑degree pathways to grow the educator workforce. Anthony Lum, the board’s executive officer, complimented the program’s feasibility study as “very thorough, very clean.”

The committee set the approval with an extendable two‑year probation once the program begins operation; staff will monitor milestones and report progress to the board.

Votes at a glance: The education committee recommended approval; the roll call recorded aye votes from Michael Long, Sherman King, Justin Matthews, Joanne Pacheco and Lehi Lolly Tribble Agarwal. The motion passed.

The board will monitor the program’s compliance and receive reports from staff at intervals specified in the board materials.","The Dental Hygiene Board of California voted to provisionally approve a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene at California Baptist University with a two‑year probation condition and will track progress through staff oversight.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Legislation roundup: dental hygiene committee sets positions on a slate of bills including fluoride coverage and workforce provisions

Board approves clarifying amendments and application form for RDHAP physical facility registration (16 CCR §1116.5)

Board disapproves Concord Career College schedule; finds terms fall short of 10‑week instruction requirement

Board approves Cabrillo College shift to biennial dental hygiene cohort amid budget pressures

Board provisionally approves California Baptist University bachelor’s dental hygiene program