May 2026 - AB 1952
May 14, 2026 - AB 1952 is DEAD!
YAY! Great work hygienists! You did it! Due to all of your calls and outreach, Assembly Appropriations Committee chose to hold AB 1952 in committee on the Suspense File.
The bill is dead!
It will not move forward this year.
Congratulations!
YAY! Great work hygienists! You did it! Due to all of your calls and outreach, Assembly Appropriations Committee chose to hold AB 1952 in committee on the Suspense File.
The bill is dead!
It will not move forward this year.
Congratulations!
CDHA calls upon members to OPPOSE AB 1952 as it enters Assembly Appropriations committee.
Everyone is Needed!
Please make 3 calls and leave a message on Monday May 4th or Tuesday May 5th in OPPOSITION to AB 1952 (the Foreign Trained Dentists' Path to Dental Hygienist) to Assembly Appropriations Committee Members:
Everyone is Needed!
Please make 3 calls and leave a message on Monday May 4th or Tuesday May 5th in OPPOSITION to AB 1952 (the Foreign Trained Dentists' Path to Dental Hygienist) to Assembly Appropriations Committee Members:
- Chair: Buffy Wicks 916-319-2014
- Vice Chair: Josh Hoover 916-319-2007
- Speaker: Robert Rivas 916-319-2029
Message:
My name is _______ (your name) I live in _________(city).
I am a dental hygienist and I oppose AB 1952 that requires the Dental Hygiene Board to create and pay for a program for foreign dentists to become hygienists.
This is wrong!
Any costs should be on the Dental Board and dentists, not hygienists!
Please ask the Assembly to OPPOSE AB 1952.
My name is _______ (your name) I live in _________(city).
I am a dental hygienist and I oppose AB 1952 that requires the Dental Hygiene Board to create and pay for a program for foreign dentists to become hygienists.
This is wrong!
Any costs should be on the Dental Board and dentists, not hygienists!
Please ask the Assembly to OPPOSE AB 1952.
April 2026 - Tracking AB 1952
Friday, April 24th is the Legislature’s first policy bill deadline. Over 2000 bills must pass legislative policy committees by Friday or are dead for the session. Several bills CDHA supports have passed their first hurdle.
AB 1952, requiring the Dental Hygiene Board to create a new pathway for international dentists to become hygienists, vigorously opposed by CDHA, passed out of Assembly Business and Professions committee as expected. The good news is that Chairman Berman is committed to working with CDHA to address our concerns.
Next, AB 1952 goes to Assembly Appropriations committee where it will be reviewed for its costs to the state. Appropriations Committee will decide if the bill passes or if it is held and dead for the session. Please look at the list of members. If YOU are one of their constituents, please email your
opposition right away. You can use the template below or your own words.
The bill faces multiple votes ahead as it winds its way through the legislative process that ends in August. It will take ALL OF US engaging with our legislators to stop this proposal from becoming law.
Please contact your legislators and have your friends and neighbors do the same.
AB 1952, requiring the Dental Hygiene Board to create a new pathway for international dentists to become hygienists, vigorously opposed by CDHA, passed out of Assembly Business and Professions committee as expected. The good news is that Chairman Berman is committed to working with CDHA to address our concerns.
Next, AB 1952 goes to Assembly Appropriations committee where it will be reviewed for its costs to the state. Appropriations Committee will decide if the bill passes or if it is held and dead for the session. Please look at the list of members. If YOU are one of their constituents, please email your
opposition right away. You can use the template below or your own words.
The bill faces multiple votes ahead as it winds its way through the legislative process that ends in August. It will take ALL OF US engaging with our legislators to stop this proposal from becoming law.
Please contact your legislators and have your friends and neighbors do the same.
Each of you are invaluable to the process.
We will keep you informed.
We will keep you informed.
DRAFT EMAIL/LETTER/CALL:
AB 1952 (Berman) international dentist program
Assemblymember ______,
I’m ______ (name) a Registered Dental Hygienist from _______ (your city). Please oppose AB
1952 by Assemblymember Berman. This bill creates a program for international DENTISTS
under the Dental Hygiene Board of California.
I support a pathway for international dentists to work in oral healthcare. However, any pathway
for dentists should be created by The Dental Board which should provide oversight. I oppose
putting the onus and expense of a new program for dentists onto dental hygienists and the
Dental Hygiene Board. This is just wrong. Importantly, the legislation does NOT address the
very real problem of access to care that is primarily the mal-distribution of dentists.
Please oppose AB 1952 as presented. Thank you for considering my position.
AB 1952 (Berman) international dentist program
Assemblymember ______,
I’m ______ (name) a Registered Dental Hygienist from _______ (your city). Please oppose AB
1952 by Assemblymember Berman. This bill creates a program for international DENTISTS
under the Dental Hygiene Board of California.
I support a pathway for international dentists to work in oral healthcare. However, any pathway
for dentists should be created by The Dental Board which should provide oversight. I oppose
putting the onus and expense of a new program for dentists onto dental hygienists and the
Dental Hygiene Board. This is just wrong. Importantly, the legislation does NOT address the
very real problem of access to care that is primarily the mal-distribution of dentists.
Please oppose AB 1952 as presented. Thank you for considering my position.
March 2026 - Foreign-Trained Dentists Discussions - AB 1952
March 13 - DHBC adopts the position to "OPPOSE unless AMENDED" on AB 1952 to reallocate the responsibility of foreign-trained dentists to the oversight of DBC since they are technically "dentists".
March 16 - AB 1952 is read into the Senate and enters into Senate Committee Hearings by the end of March. Marc Berman, the author of AB 1952, is the chair of Business and Professions committee.
March 23 - CDHA holds a Legislative Lobby Day in Sacramento to oppose AB 1952. Leaders and members of CDHA discuss their opposition to AB 1952 with legislators, including lack of educational equivalency and improper suggested oversight of the DHBC since foreign-trained dentists technically hold a "dentist" license.
- CDA representative, Tooka Zokaie, was present to testify on behalf of CDA citing "increasing access to care" by "culturally competent" and "linguistically diverse" dental professionals. California is one of the most diverse states in the USA... It is a wonder as to why CDA doesn't promote increasing DEI students in hygiene programs or expanding dental hygiene program enrollment and funding instead of shortcuts in licensure and risking the safety of the public.
- DBC's new Executive Officer, Bryce Docherty, falsely cites a "hygiene shortage" in California as the cause for AB 1952 and is corrected by Executive Officer of DHBC, Anthony Lum, and our very own Trustee, Susan McLearan, on a "maldistribution" of hygienists in California rather than "shortage" as the most recent and available HCAI data shows. Nonetheless, Docherty says DBC intends to take a position on AB 1952 after the Senate committee hearings rather than before... DHBC board members discuss the importance of taking a position at this meeting instead of waiting like the DBC and adopt the position to OPPOSE unless AMENDED.
March 16 - AB 1952 is read into the Senate and enters into Senate Committee Hearings by the end of March. Marc Berman, the author of AB 1952, is the chair of Business and Professions committee.
March 23 - CDHA holds a Legislative Lobby Day in Sacramento to oppose AB 1952. Leaders and members of CDHA discuss their opposition to AB 1952 with legislators, including lack of educational equivalency and improper suggested oversight of the DHBC since foreign-trained dentists technically hold a "dentist" license.
February 2026 - CDA Sponsors AB 1952
Assembly Bill 1952 by Assemblyman Marc Berman (Democrat) creates an alternate path for internationally trained DENTISTS to become dental hygienists regulated by the Dental Hygiene Board of CA.
CDHA says NO WAY!
Do not put this on the backs of Dental Hygienists or at Hygienists’ expense!
Bill Text: AB 1952
Find Your Legislator: Click Here
Read More About Berman-CDA: Click Here
CDHA says NO WAY!
Do not put this on the backs of Dental Hygienists or at Hygienists’ expense!
Bill Text: AB 1952
Find Your Legislator: Click Here
Read More About Berman-CDA: Click Here
December 2025 Watches...
Be AWARE & SHARE
No need for action at this time – but stay ALERT!
Share this information with your colleagues.
HELP by being a MEMBER
The national movement towards establishing Dental Therapy has come to California
Missouri (pilot).
The ADA and some states are state that on-the-job training is acceptable to train hygienists
In some states RDAEFs administer anesthesia, there is a proposed workforce pilot in California
Nationally - The Oral Health Awareness Project was created by two hygienists
No need for action at this time – but stay ALERT!
Share this information with your colleagues.
HELP by being a MEMBER
The national movement towards establishing Dental Therapy has come to California
- Dental Therapy is legal in 14 states with varying specifications, scope, and regulation
- CDHA is not against Dental Therapists (DTs)
- Because DTs can scale supra-gingivally, CDHA prefers the model adding DT duties to licensed dental hygienists so they can provide SRP as well as restorative functions
- CDHA does not support a new licensure category and regulation issues, but supports adding DT functions to existing categories, specifically the RDH/RDHAP categories
- The National Dental Therapy Conference will be held on December 8 in Sacramento
- Several states have, and many are considering, establishing scaling assistants
- Assistants can scale supra-gingivally in Kansas, Arizona, Illinois, Alabama, South Dakota and
Missouri (pilot).
- Supra-gingival scaling is neither preventive or therapeutic
- CDHA is concerned that the sub-gingival area will be neglected and patient might think they had a thorough prophylaxis
The ADA and some states are state that on-the-job training is acceptable to train hygienists
- A bill was introduced in Nevada’s last legislative session with ADA support
- CDHA supports CODA accredited training
- CDHA disapproves the ability of dentist to train hygienists in the office setting
In some states RDAEFs administer anesthesia, there is a proposed workforce pilot in California
- The pilot application has many technical and legal flaws
- The education and supervision plan is inadequate
- There will be a hearing on December 18 from 10AM to 2PM in Sacramento
- The hearing may be on zoom
- If it can be attended, a link will be sent
Nationally - The Oral Health Awareness Project was created by two hygienists
- Funding is generated through membership
- The mission is …increasing public awareness about the essential role of licensed dental hygienists…
- The objectives are:
- Public Education
- Legislative Advocacy
- Coalition Building
Out-Of-State Legislative Watches...
Social media is buzzing of the changes to the RDA and RDH licensures in our neighboring states. Rest assured that CDHA is watching legislation that is being passed in our neighboring states! We are closely monitoring Oregon, Nevada, Washington, Arizona and their bordering states. We need all HYGIENISTS' eyes on deck for California!!!
E-mail [email protected] if you spot anything that you'd like CDHA or SVDHA to advocate more for - OR you haven't seen it on our socials - YET!
If you are an RDH in the Sacramento component, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for the latest in our California legislative watch by clicking here.
We are THE Hygienists at the capitol! Get involved today! If you are interested in leadership positions (even if they are currently filled), please e-mail s[email protected] to learn more about when our next board meeting is and how you can shadow the position to be filled or help out in any way you can. We welcome volunteer RDH/APs and are constantly looking to the new generation of hygienists to move us forward!
E-mail [email protected] if you spot anything that you'd like CDHA or SVDHA to advocate more for - OR you haven't seen it on our socials - YET!
If you are an RDH in the Sacramento component, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for the latest in our California legislative watch by clicking here.
We are THE Hygienists at the capitol! Get involved today! If you are interested in leadership positions (even if they are currently filled), please e-mail s[email protected] to learn more about when our next board meeting is and how you can shadow the position to be filled or help out in any way you can. We welcome volunteer RDH/APs and are constantly looking to the new generation of hygienists to move us forward!
SB 1124 - OPA (Assistant Scalers) in AZ - What it means for California RDHs
On April 8th, 2025, Dental Integrations hosted a live CE informing dental hygienists on what OPAs mean for their job security, access to care, and the future of dental hygiene in Arizona and other states. During the discussion, ADHA president, Erin Haley-Hits spoke on the legislative process and how you as a dental hygienist can get involved in having a say on OPAs in your state.
Panelists:
Erin Haley-Hits, ADHA President
Valery Brady, AAS, RDH, AZ ADHA Advocacy Committee
Dr. Kevin Yang, True North Dental Flagstaff, AZ
Kim Mack, RDH, MBA, Practice Strategies
Kristi Deela, CDA, DA Program Director
To see the full discussion on OPAs in Arizona, visit:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EVvt-DQXfg&t=1s
YOUR VOICE matters in California!
Join your professional organization, California Dental Hygienists' Association (CDHA), to keep our dental hygienists protected here in California!!!
We do this by showing our legislators that we have the RDH membership numbers to back up what we stand for:
Panelists:
Erin Haley-Hits, ADHA President
Valery Brady, AAS, RDH, AZ ADHA Advocacy Committee
Dr. Kevin Yang, True North Dental Flagstaff, AZ
Kim Mack, RDH, MBA, Practice Strategies
Kristi Deela, CDA, DA Program Director
To see the full discussion on OPAs in Arizona, visit:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EVvt-DQXfg&t=1s
YOUR VOICE matters in California!
Join your professional organization, California Dental Hygienists' Association (CDHA), to keep our dental hygienists protected here in California!!!
We do this by showing our legislators that we have the RDH membership numbers to back up what we stand for:
- Protection of our license and patients in California to not dilute the practice of dental hygiene by under trained individuals (including OPAs and foreign-trained dentists)
- Expansion of our work environments to allow RDHs to practice in different medical and dental settings
- Expansion of our license to reflect the objectives of majority RDHs in California
Without the membership numbers, we are a profession divided.
Defend the dental hygiene profession in California by joining your voice with the CDHA today!
JOIN CDHA
Defend the dental hygiene profession in California by joining your voice with the CDHA today!
JOIN CDHA
Retired License Status Available January 2023
Retired License Status Available January 2023
Following requests by the California Dental Hygienists’ Association, the Dental Hygiene Board of California submitted a regulation for approval to add a “retired” license status to the existing statuses of Current Active and Current Inactive. According to Board staff, this was due, in part, to a growing number of licensees reaching retirement age and considering ceasing practicing dental hygiene.
Beginning January 1, 2023, California Registered Dental Hygienists (RDH, RDHEF and RDHAP) can apply for a “Retired License” if their current license is in good standing. California licensed dental hygienists are to submit an application along with a fee of $80.00 with the understanding that the retired licensee:
Regarding the ability to volunteer, the holder of a retired license can provide the public, without supervision, dental hygiene educational services, oral health training programs, oral health screenings, and application of fluoride varnish free of charge in any oral health public health program created by federal, state, or local law or administered by a federal, state, county, or local governmental entity, at a sponsored event by a sponsoring entity.
It is hoped that an ALERT will be posted by the Board. The application will most likely be found under the “Applicants” tab on the Board’s website www.dhbc.ca.gov.
Following requests by the California Dental Hygienists’ Association, the Dental Hygiene Board of California submitted a regulation for approval to add a “retired” license status to the existing statuses of Current Active and Current Inactive. According to Board staff, this was due, in part, to a growing number of licensees reaching retirement age and considering ceasing practicing dental hygiene.
Beginning January 1, 2023, California Registered Dental Hygienists (RDH, RDHEF and RDHAP) can apply for a “Retired License” if their current license is in good standing. California licensed dental hygienists are to submit an application along with a fee of $80.00 with the understanding that the retired licensee:
- may not engage in any activity for which an active license issued by the Board is required
- does not need to renew the retired license
- is exempt from continuing education requirements
- shall be permitted to use his or her professional title only with the unabbreviated word “retired” preceding or after the professional designation
Regarding the ability to volunteer, the holder of a retired license can provide the public, without supervision, dental hygiene educational services, oral health training programs, oral health screenings, and application of fluoride varnish free of charge in any oral health public health program created by federal, state, or local law or administered by a federal, state, county, or local governmental entity, at a sponsored event by a sponsoring entity.
It is hoped that an ALERT will be posted by the Board. The application will most likely be found under the “Applicants” tab on the Board’s website www.dhbc.ca.gov.
CalHyPAC is the only political action committee that represents California dental hygienists. The PAC establishes relationships with California candidates who believe that dental hygienists are an important and essential part of the health care system.
To learn more, visit calhypac.org
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