Dentists: continuing education.

Existing law, the Dental Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of dentists by the Dental Board of California until January 1, 2016, at which time the board shall be subject to review by the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature. Existing law authorizes the board to require licentiates to complete continuing education hours as a condition of license renewal. Existing law authorizes the board to, by regulation, reduce the renewal fee for a licensee who has practiced dentistry for 20 years or more in this state, has reached the age of retirement under the federal Social Security Act, and customarily provides his or her services free of charge to any person, organization, or agency. This bill would prohibit the board from requiring a retired dentist who provides only uncompensated care to complete more than 60% of the hours of continuing education that are required of other licensed dentists. The bill would require all of those hours of continuing education to be gained through courses related to the actual delivery of dental services to the patient or the community, as determined by the board. The bill would require the board to report on the outcome of that provision, pursuant to, and at the time of, its regular sunset review process.