Dental Board approves revised licensure rulemaking package, denies renewal of moderate‑sedation permit and hears calls to preserve foreign dental‑school pathway

The Dental Board of California on Aug. 14 voted to rescind prior regulatory text and approve a revised rulemaking package to amend licensing rules for dentists, denied the renewal of a moderate‑sedation permit after two failed on‑site evaluations, and heard public comment urging preservation of pathways for graduates of foreign dental schools.

Dr. Steve Chan, president of the Dental Board of California, opened the teleconference meeting and led the board through a packed agenda that included two formal actions requiring roll‑call votes and multiple informational reports. The board met via Webex with an in‑person location in Sacramento available to the public.

The board adopted a motion to rescind the regulatory text the board approved in February and instead approve updated regulatory language and related attachments to initiate a new rulemaking package concerning applications for dentist licensure and fees. The motion (referred to in the agenda as “Option 1”) instructed staff to submit the revised package to the Department of Consumer Affairs and the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency for review, authorized the interim executive officer to make non‑substantive changes and to proceed with the 45‑day public comment period, and to set a hearing if requested. The motion was made on the floor and seconded; the board then called the roll and the motion passed.

Why it matters: the adopted motion restarts a lengthy regulatory update affecting forms, fee and application processes and multiple California Code of Regulations sections the board cited in its agenda materials. Board staff explained the package was revised after internal review identified errors in the earlier draft. If the package proceeds through rulemaking, the public will have a formal 45‑day comment period before any final regulations are adopted.

The board also acted on a personnel‑level licensing question from its Anesthesia Committee. Dr. Helen Felsenfeld, who chaired the anesthesia committee meeting earlier, presented the committee recommendation regarding a moderate‑sedation permit holder identified in the materials as “CS.” After two on‑site inspections and evaluations in which CS failed the simulated‑emergencies portion of the evaluation, the committee recommended denying renewal of CS’s moderate‑sedation permit. Dr. Felsenfeld moved that the board deny renewal and require any future application to include prior board approval, completion of 24 hours of remedial education focused on moderate sedation and emergency management, and passage of a new on‑site inspection and evaluation. The motion was seconded and passed on a roll call vote.

The action followed committee review of evaluator notes and the repeated failures in emergency management scenarios. The board recorded its vote in open session; the chair said the motion passed.

Public comment and legislation: during public comment the board heard multiple speakers pressing the board and the Legislature to preserve or restore pathways for foreign‑trained dental graduates. Anna Maria Quintana, councilwoman for the City of Bell, thanked the board for scheduling an agenda item about foreign dental schools for the November meeting and said the lack of access to dental care remains acute in many communities. Advocate Francisco Leal told the board that legislation under discussion would maintain approval of schools previously approved by the board while they complete accreditation steps, and asked the board to engage with the author and stakeholders.

Board staff presented legislative updates on numerous bills that could affect the board’s work. Staff reiterated that AB 966 (identified in the materials as the foreign dental schools bill) currently is a two‑year measure and that CODA (the Commission on Dental Accreditation) remains the federally recognized accreditor for dental programs. Staff said that because federal and state law tie many licensure rules to CODA accreditation, any statutory change touching accreditation carries consequential implementation and oversight questions.

Other board business: the board approved the May 2025 meeting minutes with a correction; received informational reports on budget (FY 2024‑25 appropriation about $19.8 million, board staff reported an approximate reversion of $1.7 million and noted a $5 million loan was repaid by 6/30/2025); licensing and exam statistics; pending regulations (including a consensus with the Dental Hygiene Board to begin rulemaking on infection‑control minimum standards); enforcement and diversion program statistics; and reports from testing agencies (ADEX/CDCA/WREB/CITA) on upcoming changes to clinical exam content and governance.

Votes at a glance - Rescind prior regulatory text and approve revised rulemaking package for dentist licensure applications (agenda 6aII): Motion to adopt “Option 1” (rescind prior February 2025 motion and approve revised text and attachments; submit to DCA and BCShA; initiate 45‑day public comment; set a hearing if requested; authorize interim executive officer to make non‑substantive edits). Mover: Dr. Larina (as stated on the record); seconder: Dr. Felsenfeld. Outcome: approved on roll call.

- Denial of renewal — moderate sedation permit (agenda 13b): Motion to deny renewal of permit holder “CS”; if CS seeks a new permit the board requires prior board approval, 24 hours of remedial education in moderate sedation and emergency management, and passage of a new on‑site inspection and evaluation. Mover: Dr. Felsenfeld; seconder: Robert David. Outcome: approved on roll call.

- Approval of May 2025 meeting minutes (agenda 3): Motion to approve minutes as amended. Outcome: approved (roll‑call recorded in minutes).

What the board did not do: no final regulations were adopted at this meeting. The board’s approval initiates the formal rulemaking process; staff will return with draft rulemaking documents and the public will have formal opportunities to comment.

What’s next: the revised licensure rulemaking package will go through the Department of Consumer Affairs and the governor’s business/consumer agency review; if no adverse comments are received during the public comment period the board may adopt the regulations as noticed. The board scheduled a November strategic planning session and indicated it will discuss foreign‑trained dental schools at the board’s November meeting per public request.

Selected direct quotes - “If after the 45 day public comment period, no adverse comments are received, and no public hearing is requested, authorize the rule making and adopt the proposed regulations as noticed,” — motion text read into the record when the board voted to initiate rulemaking. - “I would like to move to adopt the committee’s recommendation to deny the renewal of CS’s moderate sedation permit,” — Dr. Helen Felsenfeld, chair of the Anesthesia Committee. - “We have been working on the subject matter for a while now… the lack of access to dental care in our communities is very much alive,” — Anna Maria Quintana, councilwoman for the City of Bell, during public comment.

The meeting adjourned after the board returned from closed session, where members said they considered disciplinary matters and voted to reject two stipulated settlements and propose counteroffers.