Dentistry: dental assistants: infection control course.

Assembly Member Alanis's dental assistant infection control legislation modifies certification timelines and expands training options while establishing new oversight mechanisms for course providers. The measure allows dental assistants 90 days from their start date to complete required infection control training, replacing the current requirement for completion before performing any procedures.

The bill creates three pathways for fulfilling the eight-hour training requirement: courses offered by board-approved dental assisting programs, existing board-approved infection control courses, or newly authorized courses combining six hours of didactic instruction with two hours of laboratory training delivered through video or online platforms. For these new course formats, providers must submit detailed applications documenting curriculum content, instructor qualifications, and technological capabilities.

Course providers face expanded requirements around content delivery and student support. Programs must cover specific topics including dental science, legal compliance, sterilization protocols, and exposure control while providing hands-on laboratory instruction in areas like personal protective equipment use and instrument preparation. Providers must notify students of technology requirements upfront and offer technical assistance throughout the course.

The legislation establishes a structured approval process allowing the Dental Board to grant full or one-year provisional approval after evaluating all course components. Approved courses undergo reevaluation every seven years, with the board maintaining authority to withdraw approval if programs fail to meet standards. The measure also sets fee caps for various administrative processes, including a $300 limit for reviewing course approval applications.

To address immediate workforce needs, particularly in rural areas with limited training access, the bill includes an urgency clause making its provisions effective upon enactment. The legislation prohibits courses delivered under the new video/online format from satisfying infection control requirements for registered dental assistant licensure or specialized permits.