LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

November 20, 2025

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Situation Update

From CDHA's Government Relations Council

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Dental Therapy

The national movement for Dental Therapy is coming to California. CDHA is not opposed to Dental Therapy as a way to extend dental services to under-served areas. Our concern is the educational and practice model the organizers may promote.

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In some models, dental therapists can scale supra-gingivally. In another model, a hygiene degree is required to apply. As a hygienist/therapist these graduates would be able to provide all of the dental hygiene services as well as provide restorative procedures under the supervision of a dentist.

 

Since California has its own regulatory board and has the RDH/RDHAP licensure categories, CDHA is against creating a new category of provider, but is willing to work with the community coalition leading this movement to create a model that utilizes the RDH/RDHAP.

 

On Monday, December 8, 2025 the American Dental Therapy Association begin its three-day National Dental Therapy Conference in Sacramento sponsored by The California Oral Health Equity Coalition (cohec.org). It will be held at the Double Tree by Hilton beginning at 8AM. The first day is free with a suggestion for a $50 donation.

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For more information: https://web.cvent.com/event/e942d7d6-20cd-4aca-a637-82c7263df1a7/websitePage:80a53eb4-3fca-4b25-8615-d5d50c299b70

 

CDHA members will be attending the informational session.

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The Anesthesia Issue

A group supporting advance practice for expanded function dental assistants (RDAEFs) has made application to the California Department of Health Access and Information (HCAI)  for a pilot project teaching RDAEFs to deliver anesthesia. CDHA reviewed and sent written comments about the application. While CDHA is supportive of increasing scope for dental assistants, there are many concerns about this curriculum, hands-on training, supervision and other issues. HCAI will hold a hearing on Thursday December 18 from 10AM-2PM. Details as to the meeting time and format have not been provided. There may be an opportunity to listen in electronically.

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CDHA may need members to listen in or comment.

 

The CDHA Government Relations Council (GRC) represents the interests of CDHA in legislative matters affecting the licensure and practice of dental hygienists in the state of California. We are your voice and attend all meetings of the Dental Hygiene Board of California (DHBC), the Dental Board of California (DBC), as well as legislative hearings on bills important to the profession of dental hygiene.

 

Our Political Action Committee (CalHyPAC) works with our legislative advocates, Aaron Read & Associates, LLC(ARA), one of the most prominent legislative advocacy firms in California.