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Stakeholders press board and legislature over timing, virtual labs and fees in AB 873 infection-control proposal
Summary
Stakeholders at Friday's meeting urged the Dental Board to keep an eight-hour infection-control course required before exposure, opposed a 60-day post-hire allowance, warned against virtual-only lab options, and criticized a proposed course-approval fee increase from $300 to $8,000 as prohibitive.
Multiple stakeholder groups raised concerns at the Dental Board of California's Feb. 6 meeting about AB 873 and related regulatory language governing infection-control training for dental assistants.
Susan McLaren of the California Dental Hygienist Association told the board she supports a virtual option but warned about timing: "We certainly support the virtual, option, but are very concerned about the time frame in which the dental assistant would need to take the course." McLaren said training should occur before contact with potentially infectious materials.
Sherry Becker of the Alliance opposed a provision in AB 873 that would allow an employer up to 60 days after hire for an unlicensed dental assistant to complete the infection-control course. "Part of the concern is regarding the 60 days, which would be applicable to the unlicensed dental assistant to take the infection-control course 60 days after employment," Becker said, citing SB 1453 language that requires training prior to exposure.
Melody Randolph, also with the Alliance, criticized a proposed jump in course-approval fees. "Currently, the fee is $300," she said, adding that raising the cap to a maximum of $8,000 per course would be "prohibitive" for many course providers and likely to drive up costs for students.
Representatives of the California Dental Association said access and rural reach are priorities and urged the board to make high-quality, virtual options available for remote clinics. "The course needs to be accessible, especially for our rural dental clinics that may not have an in-person portion accessible to them," a CDA representative said.
Board members listened and asked that concerns be submitted in writing where time-limited public comment prevented extended remarks. Staff said they would continue to monitor AB 873 and related rulemaking, noting that some cleanup language could be carried in the board's proposed sunset bill or in a separate vehicle.
