Dentistry: exemptions.

Existing law, the Dental Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of dentists and dental assistants by the Dental Board of California. Existing law prohibits the practice of dentistry by any person without a valid license, except in certain circumstances, including a final year student, as defined, practicing dentistry at a sponsored event, without compensation or expectation of compensation and under the supervision of a licensed dentist with a clinical faculty appointment, if specified conditions are met. Existing law defines a final year student, for this purpose, to mean a student of dentistry in the student's final year of completion at a dental school approved by the board, including a student enrolled in an advanced dental program. Existing law imposes various requirements on the practice of final year students at a sponsored event, including that they perform only those procedures for which they are credentialed or are permitted to perform in a school setting, as specified. With respect to those above-described provisions relating to the practice of a final year student at a sponsored event, this bill would instead apply those provisions to a dental student, defined as a person who has begun clinical training at a dental school approved by the board, and would make conforming changes. The bill would additionally require the designated supervising faculty to assess each patient treated by a dental student at a sponsored event and to determine if the assigned student has the skill level necessary to provide that patient care. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.