AB-873
Health & Public Health

Dentistry: dental assistants.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Requires dental assistants to complete infection control training within 60 days of employment.
  • Authorizes dental assistants to polish and contour existing amalgam restorations under direct supervision.
  • Establishes new standards for radiation safety courses including 32 hours of instruction.
  • Allows infection control courses to be completed through in-person or online instruction formats.

Summary

Assembly Member Alanis's dental practice legislation modernizes California's infection control training requirements and expands practice authorities for dental assistants while establishing new oversight mechanisms for educational programs. The bill requires dental assistants to complete board-approved infection control training within 60 days of employment, rather than before performing any procedures, and mandates annual bloodborne pathogen training. Employers gain flexibility in meeting these requirements through traditional classroom instruction or distance learning options combining didactic and hands-on components.

The legislation authorizes registered dental assistants in extended functions to perform additional procedures, including polishing existing amalgam restorations, under direct supervision of a licensed dentist. It also updates course approval processes, requiring radiation safety programs to provide 32 hours of instruction split between didactic learning, laboratory practice, and supervised clinical experience. Programs must meet detailed facility and equipment standards while maintaining specific instructor-to-student ratios.

For infection control courses, providers must now submit comprehensive applications detailing curriculum, faculty qualifications, and evaluation methods. The board may grant provisional one-year approvals for programs substantially meeting requirements. All approved courses undergo mandatory reevaluation every seven years, with the board retaining authority to conduct unscheduled inspections and withdraw approval for non-compliance.

The measure establishes fee limits for various licensing and educational program reviews, with all revenue directed to the State Dentistry Fund. Course providers must maintain detailed student records, notify the board of significant program changes, and ensure technological support for distance learning components. These provisions take effect immediately upon enactment to address training access challenges, particularly in rural areas.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 873 Alanis Third Reading Urgency
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Assembly Business And Professions Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Business And Professions Hearing
Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Roger NielloR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Steven ChoiR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Bob ArchuletaD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tom UmbergD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 12 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 3
Select All Legislators
Profile
Roger NielloR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Steven ChoiR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Bob ArchuletaD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tom UmbergD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Akilah Weber PiersonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Angelique AshbyD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Caroline MenjivarD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Lola Smallwood-CuevasD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Jesse ArreguinD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Suzette ValladaresR
Senator
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Juan Alanis
Juan AlanisR
California State Assembly Member
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/2/2025)

Latest Voting History

June 2, 2025
PASS
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
780179PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Requires dental assistants to complete infection control training within 60 days of employment.
  • Authorizes dental assistants to polish and contour existing amalgam restorations under direct supervision.
  • Establishes new standards for radiation safety courses including 32 hours of instruction.
  • Allows infection control courses to be completed through in-person or online instruction formats.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Juan Alanis
Juan AlanisR
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Alanis's dental practice legislation modernizes California's infection control training requirements and expands practice authorities for dental assistants while establishing new oversight mechanisms for educational programs. The bill requires dental assistants to complete board-approved infection control training within 60 days of employment, rather than before performing any procedures, and mandates annual bloodborne pathogen training. Employers gain flexibility in meeting these requirements through traditional classroom instruction or distance learning options combining didactic and hands-on components.

The legislation authorizes registered dental assistants in extended functions to perform additional procedures, including polishing existing amalgam restorations, under direct supervision of a licensed dentist. It also updates course approval processes, requiring radiation safety programs to provide 32 hours of instruction split between didactic learning, laboratory practice, and supervised clinical experience. Programs must meet detailed facility and equipment standards while maintaining specific instructor-to-student ratios.

For infection control courses, providers must now submit comprehensive applications detailing curriculum, faculty qualifications, and evaluation methods. The board may grant provisional one-year approvals for programs substantially meeting requirements. All approved courses undergo mandatory reevaluation every seven years, with the board retaining authority to conduct unscheduled inspections and withdraw approval for non-compliance.

The measure establishes fee limits for various licensing and educational program reviews, with all revenue directed to the State Dentistry Fund. Course providers must maintain detailed student records, notify the board of significant program changes, and ensure technological support for distance learning components. These provisions take effect immediately upon enactment to address training access challenges, particularly in rural areas.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/2/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 873 Alanis Third Reading Urgency
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Assembly Business And Professions Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Business And Professions Hearing
Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Latest Voting History

June 2, 2025
PASS
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
780179PASS

Contacts

Profile
Roger NielloR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Steven ChoiR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Bob ArchuletaD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tom UmbergD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 12 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 3
Select All Legislators
Profile
Roger NielloR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Steven ChoiR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Bob ArchuletaD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tom UmbergD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Akilah Weber PiersonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Angelique AshbyD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Caroline MenjivarD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Lola Smallwood-CuevasD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Jesse ArreguinD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Suzette ValladaresR
Senator
Committee Member