Dental Board to send draft infection‑control regulations back to working group after stakeholder objections
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Sign Up Free
Summary
The board paused formal action on proposed minimum infection‑control regulations and directed staff to return the draft to the working group to resolve concerns raised by stakeholders, including dental associations and the Dental Assisting Council.
The Dental Board of California on Feb. 6 declined to adopt proposed updates to its minimum standards for infection control and instead agreed with the Dental Assisting Council’s recommendation to return the draft to the working group for further revision.
The board, which must periodically review infection control guidance under state law, has been working with the Dental Hygiene Board of California and subject‑matter experts to update language that had last been revised in 2011. Staff and working‑group members presented a technical, consensus draft and described subsequent stakeholder comments that the board characterized as “adverse” and in need of further consideration.
Why it matters: The draft is intended to align the board’s minimum standards with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance (CDC updated in June 2024). Stakeholders including the California Dental Association and members of the public raised concerns at the meeting about several provisions—examples included the draft’s timing language for immediate changes to personal protective equipment and gaps identified around dental unit waterline requirements.
Discussion and next steps: After receiving public comment and hearing the Dental Assisting Council’s recommendations, the board agreed to accept the council’s suggestion to have the working group revisit the draft, incorporate stakeholder input, and prepare revised language. The working group will include Dental Board and Dental Assisting Council members; the Dental Assisting Council noted that Joanne Pacheco had been replaced on the working group by Board Member Olague. Staff requested that stakeholders submit written feedback to Brent Nelson for consideration by the working group.
Speakers and public commenters who addressed this item included Legislative and Regulatory Specialist Brent Nelson, Assistant Executive Officer Christy Bell, Dental Assisting Council Chair Deandra Epps Robinson, and public commenters such as Leslie Canham (dental infection prevention educator and continuing‑education provider). The board did not adopt formal regulatory changes at the meeting; instead, it directed staff to resume working‑group review.