Berman Introduces Bill to Create New Pathway for Internationally Trained Dentists to Provide Dental Care in California

• Isabelle Grassel
• Communications/Legislative Assistant
• (916) 319-2023
• [email protected]

SACRAMENTO, CA - Today Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) introduced Assembly Bill 1952 to establish a streamlined framework for skilled dentists trained in foreign countries to become licensed as dental hygienists.

"California is facing a dental care workforce crisis that only continues to worsen, with millions of residents across the state living with inadequate access to oral health care," said Assemblymember Marc Berman. "Meanwhile, many talented dentists trained in other countries are eager to move to California and provide care, but must first go through an additional multi-year residency program to practice dentistry. AB 1952 creates an opportunity for these foreign trained dentists to provide patients with much-needed dental hygiene services, as a licensed dental hygienist, on a much faster timeline."

AB 1952, sponsored by the California Dental Association, would integrate internationally trained dentists who have not completed a California residency into dental care teams by allowing them to obtain licensure as dental hygienists. Applicants would be required to demonstrate that they have graduated from an academically equivalent dental program, pass license examinations, and take additional coursework specific to California law. Internationally trained dentists who meet these criteria would then be eligible for a license under the Dental Hygiene Board of California.

"Through a competency-based licensure track, AB 1952 will allow qualified internationally trained dentists to seamlessly integrate themselves into the California dental team and increase linguistic and culturally diverse care," said California Dental Association President, Dr. Robert Hanlon. "As the state continues to face a growing shortage of hygienists, this bill creates an opportunity to maintain our existing dental licensure standards while addressing the workforce challenges our dental offices continue to face."

According to the California Future Health Workforce Commission, California is projected to face challenges in ensuring adequate access to dental care by 2030, with over 570 Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas designated in California by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration. AB 1952 would strengthen the state's dental care workforce while increasing the accessibility of professionals who are culturally competent to treat immigrant communities.

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