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California Dentist — Requirements & Free Practice

US-CA · License preparation

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Special Permit (Faculty)

Special permit entitling a full-time or part-time faculty member of a Board-approved California dental college to practice the recognized specialty or discipline at that college and its affiliated institutions (BPC §§ 1640-1642).

Licensing authority: Dental Board of California · Application information

Special permit Qualification Method 1 (BPC § 1640)
California Dentistry Law and Ethics Examination
Application Fee
Application processing fee of $1,000 (non-refundable), Applicant's Schedule form, Applicant's Declaration Regarding Special Permit, and fingerprints.
Education
Graduation from a Board-approved dental college, or completion of an advanced education program accredited by CODA or a Board-approved national accrediting body (BPC § 1640(b)).
Faculty Contract
A pending contract with a Board-approved California dental college as a full-time professor, associate professor, or assistant professor (BPC § 1640(a)).
Permit Scope
The permit holder may practice only the recognized specialty or discipline at the employing California dental college and its affiliated institutions, no more than one day per week in the school's faculty practice; the permit is renewed annually and is automatically revoked when the faculty employment ends (BPC §§ 1640.2, 1642).
Specialty Qualification
Certification as a diplomate of a specialty board, qualification to take a specialty board examination, or completion of an advanced educational program in a discipline from a Board-approved dental college (BPC § 1640(c)).
Special permit Qualification Method 2 (BPC § 1640.3)
California Dentistry Law and Ethics Examination
Application Fee
Application processing fee of $1,000 (non-refundable), Applicant's Schedule form, Applicant's Declaration Regarding Special Permit, and fingerprints.
Dean Verification
Written verification from the dean of the dental school where a contract is pending that adding the dentist (specialist or general dentist) to the faculty will benefit the students and the dental program (BPC § 1640.3(a)).
Faculty Contract
A pending contract as a full-time professor, associate professor, or assistant professor with a Board-approved California dental college, with faculty credentialing committee review and the dean's acknowledgment that the applicant is an essential addition (BPC § 1640.3(e)-(f)).
Permit Cap
No more than five permits per dental school under each of BPC § 1640.3(a)(1) and (a)(2) (BPC § 1640.3(g)).
Permit Scope
The permit holder may practice only the recognized specialty or discipline at the employing California dental college and its affiliated institutions, no more than one day per week in the school's faculty practice; the permit is renewed annually and is automatically revoked when the faculty employment ends (BPC §§ 1640.2, 1642).
Records
Complete dental school transcript, copy of the dental diploma or degree, and a copy of the applicant's valid dental license (BPC § 1640.3(b)-(d)).

Temporary License for Military Spouse or Domestic Partner - Licensed Dentist

Nonrenewable 12-month temporary dentist license for the spouse or domestic partner of an active duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in California (BPC § 115.6).

Licensing authority: Dental Board of California · Application information

Temporary license for military spouse or domestic partner (BPC § 115.6)
California Dentistry Law and Ethics Examination
Discipline And Background
No disciplinary history or unresolved complaint in another jurisdiction, no act constituting grounds for denial, and fingerprint-based background clearance (BPC § 115.6(c)(4)-(6)).
Duration
The temporary license is nonrenewable and expires 12 months after issuance or on issuance or denial of a standard, endorsement or expedited license, whichever occurs first (BPC § 115.6(h)). No application fee (BPC § 115.6(k)).
Military Spouse
Married to, or in a domestic partnership or other legal union with, an active duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces assigned to a duty station in California under official orders (BPC § 115.6(c)(1)).
Out Of State License
A current, active, and unrestricted dentist license in another U.S. state, district, or territory with the same scope, verified by the original licensing jurisdiction (BPC § 115.6(c)(2)-(3)).

California Dentistry Law and Ethics Examination

Provider
PSI Services LLC (PSI), under contract with the Dental Board of California
Format
Computer-based written examination, one question per screen
Exam fee
Board application fee $125 (non-refundable); PSI charges a separate examination fee
Examination outline
  • 1. Law - 1A. Patient Information (15%)
    • Comply with legal requirements regarding the release of patient information.
    • Knowledge of laws related to sharing HIV status of patients.
    • Knowledge of laws related to sharing patient information with guardians.
    • Knowledge of laws related to sharing patient information with financially responsible parties.
    • Knowledge of laws related to sharing patient information with collection agencies.
    • Knowledge of laws related to sharing patient information when records are audited.
    • Knowledge of laws related to sharing patient information when records are subpoenaed.
    • Knowledge of criteria to determine if information is confidential according to HIPAA.
    • Comply with legal requirements when documenting dental treatment.
    • Knowledge of laws related to documentation of patient prescriptions.
    • Knowledge of laws related to alterations of medical and dental records.
    • Comply with legal requirements for storage and disposal of patient records.
    • Knowledge of laws related to storage and disposal of records when closing a dental practice.
    • Knowledge of laws related to the security of stored records.
    • Comply with legal requirements in the event of suspected unauthorized access to patient medical or dental records.
    • Knowledge of obligation to inform patients in the event of suspected unauthorized access to their records.
    • Knowledge of required information to disclose to patients in the event of suspected unauthorized access to their records.
    • Respond to requests for records in accordance with legal requirements.
    • Knowledge of legal criteria which prohibit dentists from sharing records.
    • Knowledge of criteria which require dentists to share records.
    • Knowledge of laws that define timelines to comply with records requests.
    • Knowledge of methods for sharing dental records.
  • 1. Law - 1B. Dental Practice Owners (20%)
    • Comply with legal requirements for advertisement of services and professional qualifications.
    • Knowledge of laws related to advertisement of specialization.
    • Knowledge of laws related to the use of patients in advertising.
    • Knowledge of laws related to fees in advertisements.
    • Knowledge of required disclosures in advertisements.
    • Knowledge of laws related to the use of fictitious names.
    • Supervise dental auxiliaries in accordance with regulations.
    • Knowledge of laws and regulations defining the scope of practice for auxiliaries.
    • Knowledge of procedures used to supervise auxiliaries.
    • Comply with OSHA standards regarding management of hazardous and biohazardous materials.
    • Knowledge of laws related to the disposal of hazardous waste.
    • Knowledge of laws related to the disposal of bio-hazardous waste.
    • Knowledge of laws and regulations related to disinfection and sanitation in the dental setting.
    • Knowledge of methods for disposing of amalgam.
    • Comply with laws requiring posted documentation in dental settings.
    • Knowledge of laws defining the documents that must be posted in a dental setting.
    • Prepare for medical emergencies in accordance with the law.
    • Knowledge of laws establishing the requirements for a dental patient emergency kit.
    • Knowledge of OSHA requirements for employee emergency kits.
    • Knowledge of training requirements to prepare for medical emergencies.
    • Record and report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation in accordance with mandated reporting laws.
    • Knowledge of laws and regulations related to mandated reporting of suspected abuse.
    • Knowledge of methods for recording evidence of abuse.
    • Comply with legal requirements regarding sexual harassment.
    • Knowledge of laws related to allegations of sexual harassment.
  • 1. Law - 1C. Patient Care (15%)
    • Comply with legal requirements regarding scope of practice in the provision of services.
    • Knowledge of laws and regulations that define dentist scope of practice.
    • Knowledge of procedures general dentists can perform that require additional certification.
    • Comply with legal requirements involving protected classes (e.g., race, gender) when providing dental care.
    • Knowledge of laws establishing protected classes and their application to accepting new patients and ending patient-dentist relationships.
    • Knowledge of laws requiring accommodation (e.g., sign language interpreter) for protected classes.
    • Comply with legal requirements when estimating fees and billing patients for dental treatments.
    • Knowledge of laws that require an estimate of fees prior to dental treatment.
    • Knowledge of laws that limit the fee based on the initial estimate.
    • Knowledge of laws related to fees for dental treatment.
    • Comply with legal standards regarding guidelines for consent to treat patients.
    • Knowledge of legal criteria that allow a minor to give consent for dental treatment.
    • Knowledge of legal criteria to acquire consent for the treatment of patients with cognitive impairment.
    • Knowledge of laws and regulations regarding consent to treat patients.
    • Comply with telehealth laws and regulations when providing dental treatment or consultations remotely.
    • Knowledge of criteria for accepting new patient using telehealth.
    • Knowledge of laws related to acquiring consent for telehealth consultation and treatment.
    • Knowledge of laws and regulations establishing security requirements for telehealth dental treatment and consultations.
    • Prescribe medications to patients in accordance with laws and regulations.
    • Knowledge of laws for using Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES).
    • Knowledge of laws regarding the prescription of opioids to minors.
    • Knowledge of laws that limit prescriptions to conditions within the dentist's scope of practice.
  • 2. Ethics - 2A. Patient Education (16%)
    • Confirm understanding of risks, benefits, and alternatives to treatment by all interested parties.
    • Knowledge of methods for communicating with patients with barriers to understanding their treatment plan.
    • Inform patients of current oral conditions.
    • Knowledge of ethical guidelines that apply to the presentation of treatment options.
    • Knowledge of ethical obligation to notify patients of iatrogenic changes in their oral health.
    • Inform patients of oral health conditions that require future dental care.
    • Knowledge of obligation to share associated risk of non-treatment.
    • Knowledge of obligation to educate patients on dental conditions and their associated risks.
    • Knowledge of methods to educate patients concerning common misconceptions regarding dental materials and treatments.
    • Knowledge of obligation to manage patient expectations regarding the outcome of dental treatments.
    • Provide information about alternative treatments.
    • Knowledge of obligation to educate patient about alternative treatments.
    • Knowledge of methods to involve the patient in treatment planning when multiple parties are involved in the decision-making process.
    • Comply with telehealth ethical guidelines when providing dental treatment or consultations.
    • Knowledge of criteria to determine when telehealth is clinically appropriate.
    • Knowledge of methods for providing telehealth treatment and consultations.
    • Knowledge of ethical requirements related to date of treatment when billing insurance.
  • 2. Ethics - 2B. Continuity of Care (12%)
    • Manage communications between dentist, patient, and previous dentist in accordance with ethical standards.
    • Knowledge of ethical concerns when discussing the treatment from another dentist with patients.
    • Follow ethical principles related to managing referred patients.
    • Knowledge of ethical guidelines that promote continuity of care for referred patients.
    • Knowledge of ethical guidelines that prioritize patient autonomy for referred patients.
    • Knowledge of ethical guidelines related to accepting gifts or compensation for referrals.
    • Maintain continuity of care for dental patients.
    • Knowledge of protocol for discontinuing a dentist-patient relationship.
    • Knowledge of methods for promoting continuity of care when there is an interruption in the dentist's ability to provide care.
    • Knowledge of ethical guidelines regarding patient records when accepting a new patient.
    • Knowledge of ethical guidelines relating to continuity of care when a dental provider relocates.
  • 2. Ethics - 2C. Emergency Treatment (4%)
    • Provide patients access to emergency treatment.
    • Knowledge of ethical obligations in the event of a dental emergency during business hours.
    • Knowledge of methods for providing access to emergency treatment outside of business hours.
  • 2. Ethics - 2D. Community Welfare (18%)
    • Refer patients to another professional when patient welfare will be safeguarded or advanced.
    • Knowledge of obligation to refer when patient needs exceed dentist level of competence.
    • Knowledge of medical conditions that necessitate additional medical information or referral.
    • Knowledge of obligation to establish network of professional support.
    • Knowledge of ethical guidelines related to offering gifts or compensation for referrals.
    • Acknowledge and address dentist impairment that could endanger patients or dental staff.
    • Knowledge of the ethical obligation to seek physician advice when dentist ability to practice has been impaired.
    • Knowledge of obligation to modify activities of practice based on dentist impairment to ensure patient and staff safety.
    • Knowledge of conditions that require dentist enrollment in a diversion program.
    • Inform dental community of observations of serious adverse reactions to drugs or dental materials and devices.
    • Knowledge of requirements to inform community when serious adverse reactions are observed.
    • Comply with ethical guidelines when billing insurance for services.
    • Knowledge of ethical requirements related to accuracy of information when billing insurance.
    • Promote a respectful workplace to encourage collaboration with and optimal outcomes for patients.
    • Report other professionals to enforcement agencies to protect patient health.
    • Knowledge of situations that require dentists to report professionals to enforcement agencies.
    • Comply with requirements associated with possible patient exposure to bloodborne pathogens or other infectious material.
    • Knowledge of ethical guidelines regarding possible exposure of patients to bloodborne pathogens or other infectious materials.
    • Knowledge of conditions in which a dentist must disclose their test results and medical history with patients who were possibly exposed to bloodborne pathogens.
    • Treat patients at or above the standard of care for diagnosed conditions.
    • Knowledge of criteria used to evaluate new or experimental treatment.
    • Knowledge of ethical guidelines that define overtreatment.
    • Knowledge of ethical guidelines that define unnecessary treatment.
    • Knowledge of criteria for evaluation of patient reactions.
Examination sources