Dentistry.

(1) The Dental Practice Act provides for the licensure and regulation of dentists and associated professions by the Dental Board of California within the Department of Consumer Affairs. The act requires each applicant for a license to practice dentistry to successfully complete specified examinations, including receiving a passing score on either a portfolio examination, as specified, or a clinical and written examination administered by the Western Regional Examining Board. Existing law requires that board to determine the passing score for that examination. This bill would additionally allow an applicant to satisfy that examination requirement by receiving a passing score on a clinical and written examination administered by the North East Regional Board of Dental Examiners, Inc., or an examination developed by the American Board of Dental Examiners, Inc. The bill would require those boards to determine the passing score for their respective examinations. (2) Existing law requires the department to periodically review the examination process of the Western Regional Examining Board. Existing law requires that the Western Regional Examining Board examination meet specified antidiscrimination mandates. This bill would additionally apply those provisions to the North East Regional Board of Dental Examiners, Inc. and the American Board of Dental Examiners, Inc. (3) This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.