AB 966: Dental Practice Act: foreign dental schools.
The bill aims to maintain the approval of foreign dental schools whose programs were approved prior to January 1, 2024. These schools are allowed to continue operating until they receive a denial of accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation (Coda) or withdraw their application. Graduates of these schools are eligible for licensure to practice dentistry, provided they meet the requirements of the Dental Practice Act. To ensure that graduates practice full-time in specific settings, applicants must agree to do so for at least two years within the first three years of licensure. The bill also requires the Dental Board to report workforce data on licensees and graduates of foreign dental schools with extended approval by January 1, 2032. The bill acknowledges the shortage of dentists in California and aims to address this issue by allowing more foreign dental graduates to en…
| Feb. 02, 2026 | From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. |
| Jan. 31, 2026 | Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution. |
| Apr. 08, 2025 | Re-referred to Com. on B. & P. |
| Apr. 07, 2025 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on B. & P. Read second time and amended. |
| Mar. 27, 2025 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author. |