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Dental Board approves draft infection-control rules and asks Dental Hygiene Board to review
Summary
The Dental Board of California voted to approve proposed regulatory text to amend infection-control standards (CCR Title 16 §1005), directing staff to send the draft to the Dental Hygiene Board and to begin the formal rulemaking process if no adverse comments are received.
At its May 14, 2025 meeting, the Dental Board of California voted to approve proposed regulatory text amending the California Code of Regulations, Title 16, Section 1005, which sets minimum infection-control standards for dental practice, and asked staff to share the draft with the Dental Hygiene Board of California for concurrence.
The proposed text (referred to in the meeting materials as “attachment 2”) is the result of a multi-board working group and staff drafting. Brent Nelson, legislative and regulatory specialist for the board, told members the package includes proposed regulatory text and an initial statement of reasons and is undergoing standard internal review by the Department of Consumer Affairs and regulatory counsel.
Board member Alan Felsenfeld moved the staff recommendation to approve attachment 2, direct staff to provide it to the Dental Hygiene Board for reconsideration, and — if the hygiene board concurs and no adverse comments are received — forward the package to the director of the Department of Consumer Affairs and the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency to initiate the formal rulemaking process. The motion authorized the executive officer to make nonsubstantial edits, set a hearing if requested, and complete the rulemaking if no adverse comments or hearing requests are received. The motion passed on a roll call vote.
Nelson and other staff said the rulemaking will include the standard public-notice and comment steps, including a 45‑day public comment period and potential public hearing. Anthony Lum, executive officer of the Dental Hygiene Board of California, thanked the Dental Board for the collaborative effort and said his board would consider the draft at its July meeting if approved by the Dental Board.
Board members and public commenters described the regulation as focused on public safety and infection-control standards for dental assistants, hygienists and settings that provide dental care. Sherry Becker, representing the Alliance, thanked staff and said stakeholders look forward to having comments integrated during the regulatory comment period.
No changes to the final text were made at the meeting; staff were authorized to proceed with the multi-step regulatory process if the hygiene board concurs and no adverse comments are received during the public comment period.
The board's action advances a multi-agency regulatory effort to standardize infection-control practices across relevant dental licensing programs.
