Dental Board adopts 2026–2029 strategic plan, clarifies 'general anesthesia' wording
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Summary
The Dental Board of California voted Feb. 5 to adopt its 2026–2029 strategic plan after approving an amendment to replace the phrase 'administer dental anesthesia' with 'administer general anesthesia.' The change was moved by Dr. Alan Felsenfeld and seconded by Dr. Steven Chan before the plan passed on a roll-call vote.
The Dental Board of California adopted its 2026–2029 strategic plan during a teleconferenced meeting on Feb. 5, approving a late amendment to clarify language about anesthesia permits.
Dr. Alan Felsenfeld moved that the phrase in the draft plan reading 'administer dental anesthesia' be changed to 'administer general anesthesia.' Dr. Steven Chan seconded the motion. "I'd make a motion that we change the word dental to general anesthesia," Felsenfeld said during debate. The board then voted to approve the amendment and subsequently approved the strategic plan as amended in a roll-call vote.
Board staff told members the plan draws on a November strategic-planning session and an environmental scan, and focuses on four goal areas: licensing and examinations, consumer-protection enforcement, communication and customer service, and administrative services. Executive staff presented the plan as the product of board and stakeholder input, including an external survey and committee work.
The amendment was presented as a technical but important clarification to ensure the plan correctly reflected the permits and training that regulate anesthesia and sedation in dental practice. The board will provide a more detailed update on committee plans and activities at its May meeting.
The motion to amend was moved by Dr. Alan Felsenfeld and seconded by Dr. Steven Chan; the strategic plan vote was recorded by board secretary John Durkin.