California: Statutory Amendments to 8-Hour IC Course Requirements for DAs

In September 2024, Senate Bill (SB) 1453, the Dental Board of California’s (DBC’s) sunset review bill, was chaptered into California law, which codifies substantial changes to the 8-hour infection control course requirements established under Business and Professions Code section 1755. Under the new statute, unlicensed dental assistants (DAs) must complete a DBC-approved 8-hour infection control course prior to performing any basic supportive dental procedures involving potential exposure to blood, saliva, or other potentially infections materials.

Starting January 1, 2025, DAs must take a DBC-approved infection control course comprised of six hours of didactic instruction and two hours of laboratory instruction. The course can be offered either in-person or using video or a series of video training tools, all of which may be delivered using asynchronous, synchronous, or online learning mechanisms or a combination thereof. The DBC maintains a current list of DBC-approved 8-hour infection control courses.

DBC Concerns of Inconsistencies

In its meeting materials for its upcoming November 2024 Board meeting, the DBC has stated that there are extensive, substantive concerns and inconsistencies with implementation of SB 1453. Therefore, the DBC will likely need to propose legislative amendment(s) to the new statute to resolve the issues. We will keep our clients apprised of any updates to the 8-hour infection control course requirements for unlicensed dental assistants.

A Message to our Clients

We have received multiple inquiries from our clients about whether or not OSHA Review will begin offering the 8-hour infection control course. At this point, our program will not include the updated 8-hour course. The course must include 2-hours of practical coursework, whether virtually or in-person, for which we are unequipped/unable to provide. We are experts in the regulatory requirements covering Cal/OSHA, Dental Board, HIPAA, and environmental requirements, but not on the clinical/practical side of dentistry.

OSHA Review, Inc. a registered continuing education provider in the State of California, specializing in Dental Practice Act, infection control, and Cal/OSHA training. OSHA Review subscribers in California receive updated regulatory compliance and infection control training thorough our bi-monthly newsletter.