1645.

 (a) (1) All holders of licenses under this chapter shall continue their education after receiving a license as a condition to the renewal thereof, and shall obtain evidence satisfactory to the board that they have, during the preceding two-year period, obtained continuing education relevant to developments in the practice of dentistry and dental assisting consistent with regulations established by the board.

(2) The board shall adopt regulations providing for the suspension of the licenses at the end of the two-year period until compliance with this section is accomplished.

(b) The board may also, as a condition of license renewal, require licensees to successfully complete a portion of the required continuing education hours in specific areas adopted in regulations by the board. The board may prescribe this mandatory coursework within the general areas of patient care, health and safety, law and ethics, and the risks of addiction associated with the use of Schedule II drugs. The mandatory coursework prescribed by the board shall not exceed 15 hours per renewal period for dentists, and 7.5 hours per renewal period for dental auxiliaries. Any mandatory coursework required by the board shall be credited toward the continuing education requirements established by the board pursuant to subdivision (a).

(c) For a retired dentist who provides only uncompensated care, the board shall not require more than 60 percent of the hours of continuing education that are required of other licensed dentists. Notwithstanding subdivision (b), all of the hours of continuing education as described in this subdivision shall be gained through courses related to the actual delivery of dental services to the patient or the community, as determined by the board. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to reduce any requirements imposed by the board pursuant to subdivision (b).

1645.1.

 (a) A person who applies for licensure as a registered dental assistant shall provide evidence of having successfully completed board-approved courses in infection control, the Dental Practice Act, basic life support, radiation safety and coronal polishing. The length and content of the courses shall be governed by applicable board regulations. Failure to comply with this section shall result in automatic suspension of the license, which shall be reinstated upon the receipt of evidence that the licensee has successfully completed the required courses. Completion of the courses may be counted toward fulfillment of the continuing education requirements governed by Section 1645.

(b) The holder of an inactive registered dental assistant license is only required to comply with subdivision (a) as a condition of returning the holder’s license to active status.

1658.

 (a) (1) When a licensee desires to have more than one place of practice, the licensee shall, prior to the opening of the additional office, apply to the board, pay the fee required by this chapter, and receive permission in writing from the board to have the additional place of practice.

(2) “Place of practice” means any dental office where any act of dentistry is practiced as defined by Section 1625, and includes a place of practice in which the applicant holds any proprietary interest of any nature whatsoever, or in which the licensee holds any right to participate in the management or control thereof. A dentist who is the lessor of a dental office shall not be deemed to hold a proprietary interest in that place of practice, unless the dentist is entitled to participate in the management or control of the dentistry practiced there.

(b) This section shall not apply to a licensee who practices dentistry outside the licensee’s registered place of practice in any of the following places:

(1) Facilities licensed by the State Department of Public Health.

(2) Licensed health facilities as defined in Section 1250 of the Health and Safety Code.

(3) Clinics that are licensed under subdivision (a) of Section 1204 of, or that are exempt from licensure under subdivision (b), (c), or (h) of Section 1206 of, the Health and Safety Code.

(4) Licensed community care facilities as defined in Section 1502 of the Health and Safety Code.

(5) Schools of any grade level, whether public or private.

(6) Public institutions, including, but not limited to, federal, state, and local penal and correctional facilities.

(7) Mobile units that are operated by a public or governmental agency or a nonprofit or charitable organization and are approved by the board, provided that the mobile units meet all statutory or regulatory requirements.

(8) The home of a nonambulatory patient when a physician or registered nurse has provided a written note that the patient is unable to visit a dental office.

1673.

 (a) On and after July 1, 2020, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c), the board shall require a licensee to provide to a patient or the patient’s guardian or health care surrogate a separate disclosure that includes the licensee’s probation status, the length of the probation, the probation end date, all practice restrictions placed on the licensee by the board, the board’s telephone number, and an explanation of how the patient can find further information on the licensee’s probation on the licensee’s profile page on the board’s online license information internet website. The disclosure shall be provided before the patient’s first visit following the probationary order while the licensee is on probation pursuant to a probationary order made on and after July 1, 2020, in any of the following circumstances:

(1) A final adjudication by the board following an administrative hearing or admitted findings or prima facie showing in a stipulated settlement establishing any of the following:

(A) The commission of any act of sexual abuse, misconduct, or relations with a patient or client as defined in Section 726 or 729.

(B) Drug or alcohol abuse directly resulting in harm to patients or the extent that such use impairs the ability of the licensee to practice safely.

(C) Criminal conviction directly involving harm to patient health.

(D) Inappropriate prescribing resulting in harm to patients and a probationary period of five years or more.

(2) An accusation or statement of issues alleged that the licensee committed any of the acts described in subparagraphs (A) to (D), inclusive, of paragraph (1), and a stipulated settlement based upon a nolo contendere or other similar compromise that does not include any prima facie showing or admission of guilt or fact, but does include an express acknowledgment that the disclosure requirements of this section would serve to protect the public interest.

(b) A licensee required to provide a disclosure pursuant to subdivision (a) shall obtain from the patient, or the patient’s guardian or health care surrogate, a separate, signed copy of that disclosure.

(c) A licensee shall not be required to provide a disclosure pursuant to subdivision (a) if any of the following apply:

(1) The patient is unconscious or otherwise unable to comprehend the disclosure and sign the copy of the disclosure pursuant to subdivision (b) and a guardian or health care surrogate is unavailable to comprehend the disclosure and sign the copy.

(2) The visit occurs in an emergency room or an urgent care facility or the visit is unscheduled, including consultations in inpatient facilities.

(3) The licensee who will be treating the patient during the visit is not known to the patient until immediately prior to the start of the visit.

(4) The licensee does not have a direct treatment relationship with the patient.

(d) On and after July 1, 2020, the board shall provide the following information, with respect to licensees on probation and licensees practicing under probationary licenses, in plain view on the licensee’s profile page on the board’s license information internet website.

(1) For probation imposed pursuant to a stipulated settlement, the causes alleged in the operative accusation, along with a designation identifying those causes by which the licensee has expressly admitted guilt and a statement that acceptance of the settlement is not an admission of guilt.

(2) For probation imposed by an adjudicated decision of the board, the causes for probation stated in the final probationary order.

(3) For a licensee granted a probationary license, the causes by which the probationary license was imposed.

(4) The length of the probation and the probation end date.

(5) All practice restrictions placed on the license by the board.

1680.

 Unprofessional conduct by a person licensed under this chapter is defined as, but is not limited to, any one of the following:

(a) The obtaining of any fee by fraud or misrepresentation.

(b) The employment directly or indirectly of any student or suspended or unlicensed dentist to practice dentistry as defined in this chapter.

(c) The aiding or abetting of any unlicensed person to practice dentistry.

(d) The aiding or abetting of a licensed person to practice dentistry unlawfully.

(e) The committing of any act or acts of sexual abuse, misconduct, or relations with a patient that are substantially related to the practice of dentistry.

(f) The use of any false, assumed, or fictitious name, either as an individual, firm, corporation, or otherwise, or any name other than the name under which the person is licensed to practice, in advertising or in any other manner indicating that the person is practicing or will practice dentistry, except that name as is specified in a valid permit issued pursuant to Section 1701.5.

(g) The practice of accepting or receiving any commission or the rebating in any form or manner of fees for professional services, radiograms, prescriptions, or other services or articles supplied to patients.

(h) The making use by the licensee or any agent of the licensee of any advertising statements of a character tending to deceive or mislead the public.

(i) The advertising of either professional superiority or the advertising of performance of professional services in a superior manner. This subdivision shall not prohibit advertising permitted by subdivision (h) of Section 651.

(j) The employing or the making use of solicitors.

(k) The advertising in violation of Section 651.

(l) The advertising to guarantee any dental service, or to perform any dental operation painlessly. This subdivision shall not prohibit advertising permitted by Section 651.

(m) The violation of any of the provisions of law regulating the procurement, dispensing, or administration of dangerous drugs, as defined in Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 4000) or controlled substances, as defined in Division 10 (commencing with Section 11000) of the Health and Safety Code.

(n) The violation of any of the provisions of this division.

(o) The permitting of any person to operate dental radiographic equipment who has not met the requirements of Section 1656.

(p) The clearly excessive prescribing or administering of drugs or treatment, or the clearly excessive use of diagnostic procedures, or the clearly excessive use of diagnostic or treatment facilities, as determined by the customary practice and standards of the dental profession.

Any person who violates this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) or more than six hundred dollars ($600), or by imprisonment for a term of not less than 60 days or more than 180 days, or by both a fine and imprisonment.

(q) The use of threats or harassment against any patient or licensee for providing evidence in any possible or actual disciplinary action, or other legal action; or the discharge of an employee primarily based on the employee’s attempt to comply with the provisions of this chapter or to aid in the compliance.

(r) Suspension or revocation of a license issued, or discipline imposed, by another state or territory on grounds that would be the basis of discipline in this state.

(s) The alteration of a patient’s record with intent to deceive.

(t) Unsanitary or unsafe office conditions, as determined by the customary practice and standards of the dental profession.

(u) The abandonment of the patient by the licensee, without written notice to the patient that treatment is to be discontinued and before the patient has ample opportunity to secure the services of another dentist, registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or registered dental hygienist in extended functions and provided the health of the patient is not jeopardized.

(v) The willful misrepresentation of facts relating to a disciplinary action to the patients of a disciplined licensee.

(w) Use of fraud in the procurement of any license issued pursuant to this chapter.

(x) Any action or conduct that would have warranted the denial of the license.

(y) The aiding or abetting of a licensed dentist, dental assistant, registered dental assistant, registered dental assistant in extended functions, dental sedation assistant permitholder, orthodontic assistant permitholder, registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or registered dental hygienist in extended functions to practice dentistry in a negligent or incompetent manner.

(z) (1) The failure to report to the board in writing within seven days any of the following: (A) the death of the licensee’s patient during the performance of any dental or dental hygiene procedure; (B) the discovery of the death of a patient whose death is related to a dental or dental hygiene procedure performed by the licensee; or (C) except for a scheduled hospitalization, the removal to a hospital or emergency center for medical treatment of any patient to whom oral conscious sedation, conscious sedation, or general anesthesia was administered, or any patient as a result of dental or dental hygiene treatment. With the exception of patients to whom oral conscious sedation, conscious sedation, or general anesthesia was administered, removal to a hospital or emergency center that is the normal or expected treatment for the underlying dental condition is not required to be reported. Upon receipt of a report pursuant to this subdivision the board may conduct an inspection of the dental office if the board finds that it is necessary. A dentist shall report to the board all deaths occurring in the licensee’s practice with a copy sent to the Dental Hygiene Board of California if the death was the result of treatment by a registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or registered dental hygienist in extended functions. A registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or registered dental hygienist in extended functions shall report to the Dental Hygiene Board of California all deaths occurring as the result of dental hygiene treatment, and a copy of the notification shall be sent to the board.

(2) The report required by this subdivision shall be on a form or forms approved by the board. The form or forms approved by the board shall require the licensee to include, but not be limited to, the following information for cases in which patients received anesthesia: the date of the procedure; the patient’s age in years and months, weight, and sex; the patient’s American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status; the patient’s primary diagnosis; the patient’s coexisting diagnoses; the procedures performed; the sedation setting; the medications used; the monitoring equipment used; the category of the provider responsible for sedation oversight; the category of the provider delivering sedation; the category of the provider monitoring the patient during sedation; whether the person supervising the sedation performed one or more of the procedures; the planned airway management; the planned depth of sedation; the complications that occurred; a description of what was unexpected about the airway management; whether there was transportation of the patient during sedation; the category of the provider conducting resuscitation measures; and the resuscitation equipment utilized. Disclosure of individually identifiable patient information shall be consistent with applicable law. A report required by this subdivision shall not be admissible in any action brought by a patient of the licensee providing the report.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2), categories of provider are: General Dentist, Pediatric Dentist, Oral Surgeon, Dentist Anesthesiologist, Physician Anesthesiologist, Dental Assistant, Registered Dental Assistant, Dental Sedation Assistant, Registered Nurse, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, or Other.

(4) The form shall state that this information shall not be considered an admission of guilt, but is for educational, data, or investigative purposes.

(5) The board may assess a penalty on any licensee who fails to report an instance of an adverse event as required by this subdivision. The licensee may dispute the failure to file within 10 days of receiving notice that the board had assessed a penalty against the licensee.

(aa) Participating in or operating any group advertising and referral services that are in violation of Section 650.2.

(ab) The failure to use a fail-safe machine with an appropriate exhaust system in the administration of nitrous oxide. The board shall, by regulation, define what constitutes a fail-safe machine.

(ac) Engaging in the practice of dentistry with an expired license.

(ad) Except for good cause, the knowing failure to protect patients by failing to follow infection control guidelines of the board, thereby risking transmission of bloodborne infectious diseases from dentist, dental assistant, registered dental assistant, registered dental assistant in extended functions, dental sedation assistant permitholder, orthodontic assistant permitholder, registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or registered dental hygienist in extended functions to patient, from patient to patient, and from patient to dentist, dental assistant, registered dental assistant, registered dental assistant in extended functions, dental sedation assistant permitholder, orthodontic assistant permitholder, registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or registered dental hygienist in extended functions. In administering this subdivision, the board shall consider referencing the standards, regulations, and guidelines of the State Department of Public Health developed pursuant to Section 1250.11 of the Health and Safety Code and the standards, guidelines, and regulations pursuant to the California Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1973 (Part 1 (commencing with Section 6300) of Division 5 of the Labor Code) for preventing the transmission of HIV, hepatitis B, and other bloodborne pathogens in health care settings. The board shall review infection control guidelines, if necessary, on an annual basis and proposed changes shall be reviewed by the Dental Hygiene Board of California to establish a consensus. The hygiene board shall submit any recommended changes to the infection control guidelines for review to establish a consensus. As necessary, the board shall consult with the Medical Board of California, the California Board of Podiatric Medicine, the Board of Registered Nursing, and the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians, to encourage appropriate consistency in the implementation of this subdivision.

The board shall seek to ensure that all appropriate dental personnel are informed of the responsibility to follow infection control guidelines, and of the most recent scientifically recognized safeguards for minimizing the risk of transmission of bloodborne infectious diseases.

(ae) The utilization by a licensed dentist of any person to perform the functions of any registered dental assistant, registered dental assistant in extended functions, dental sedation assistant permitholder, orthodontic assistant permitholder, registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or registered dental hygienist in extended functions who, at the time of initial employment, does not possess a current, valid license or permit to perform those functions.

(af) The prescribing, dispensing, or furnishing of dangerous drugs or devices, as defined in Section 4022, in violation of Section 2242.1.

(ag) Using water, or other methods used for irrigation, that are not sterile or that do not contain recognized disinfecting or antibacterial properties when performing dental procedures on exposed dental pulp.

(ah) The failure by the treating dentist, prior to the initial diagnosis and correction of malpositions of human teeth or initial use of orthodontic appliances, to perform an examination pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1684.5, including the review of the patient’s most recent diagnostic digital or conventional radiographs or other equivalent bone imaging suitable for orthodontia. New radiographs or other equivalent bone imaging shall be ordered if deemed appropriate by the treating dentist.

1683.1.

 (a) Any individual, partnership, corporation, or other entity that provides dental services through telehealth shall make available the name, telephone number, practice address, and California state license number of any dentist who will be involved in the provision of services to a patient prior to the rendering of services and when requested by a patient.

(b) A violation of this section shall constitute unprofessional conduct.

1683.2.

 A provider of dental services shall not require a patient to sign an agreement that limits the patient’s ability to file a complaint with the board.

1718.3.

 (a) A license that is not renewed within five years after its expiration shall not be renewed, restored, reinstated, or reissued thereafter, but the holder of the license may apply for and obtain a new license if the following requirements are satisfied:

(1) No fact, circumstance, or condition exists which would justify denial of licensure under Section 480.

(2) The licenseholder pays all of the fees that would be required if the licenseholder were then applying for the license for the first time and all renewal and delinquency fees that have accrued since the date on which the licenseholder last renewed the license.

(3) The licenseholder takes and passes the examination, if any, that would be required if the licenseholder were then applying for the license for the first time, or otherwise establishes to the satisfaction of the board that with due regard for the public interest, the licenseholder is qualified to practice the profession or activity in which the licenseholder again seeks to be licensed.

(4) The licenseholder applies for licensure, as a new applicant, through one of the available licensing pathways under this division and meets all the requirements for licensure outlined therein.

(b) The board may impose conditions on any license issued pursuant to this section, as it deems necessary.

(c) The board may by regulation provide for the waiver or refund of all or any part of the examination fee in those cases in which a license is issued without an examination under this section.

1721.

 Except as provided in Sections 1944 and 1945, all funds received by the Treasurer under the authority of this chapter shall be placed in the State Dentistry Fund. Expenditure of those funds shall be subject to appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act. Subject to that appropriation, and except as provided in Sections 1944 and 1945, all disbursements by the board made in the transaction of its business and in the enforcement of this chapter shall be paid out of the fund upon claims against the state.

1721.5.

 All funds received by the Treasurer pursuant to Section 1725 shall be placed in the State Dentistry Fund for the purposes of administering this chapter as it relates to dental assistants, registered dental assistants, registered dental assistants in extended functions, dental sedation assistant permitholders, and orthodontic assistant permitholders. Expenditure of these funds shall be subject to appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act.

1725.

 The amount of the fees prescribed by this chapter that relate to the licensing and permitting of dental assistants shall be established by regulation and subject to the following limitations:

(a) The application fee for an original license shall not exceed two hundred dollars ($200).

(b) The fee for examination for licensure as a registered dental assistant shall not exceed the actual cost of the examination.

(c) The fee for application and for the issuance of an orthodontic assistant permit or a dental sedation assistant permit shall not exceed two hundred dollars ($200).

(d) The fee for the written examination for an orthodontic assistant permit or a dental sedation assistant permit shall not exceed the actual cost of the examination.

(e) The fee for the Registered Dental Assistant Combined Written and Law and Ethics Examination for a registered dental assistant shall not exceed the actual cost of the examination.

(f) The fee for examination for licensure as a registered dental assistant in extended functions shall not exceed the actual cost of the examination.

(g) The biennial renewal fee for a registered dental assistant license, registered dental assistant in extended functions license, dental sedation assistant permit, or orthodontic assistant permit shall not exceed two hundred dollars ($200).

(h) The delinquency fee shall be 50 percent of the renewal fee for the license or permit in effect on the date of the renewal of the license or permit.

(i) The fee for issuance of a duplicate registration, license, permit, or certificate to replace one that is lost or destroyed, or in the event of a name change, shall not exceed one hundred dollars ($100).

(j) The fee for each curriculum review and site evaluation for educational programs for registered dental assistants that are not accredited by a board-approved agency, or the Chancellor’s office of the California Community Colleges shall not exceed seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500).

(k) The fee for review of each approval application or reevaluation for a course that is not accredited by a board-approved agency or the Chancellor’s office of the California Community Colleges shall not exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000).

(l) Fees collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the State Dentistry Fund.

1740.

 It is the intention of the Legislature by enactment of this article to permit the full utilization of dental assistants in order to meet the dental care needs of all the state’s citizens. The Legislature further intends that the classifications of dental assistants established pursuant to this article permit the continual advancement of persons to successively higher levels of licensure with additional education and training. The Legislature further intends that the Dental Board of California, in implementing this article, give specific consideration to the recommendations of the Dental Assisting Council, established pursuant to Section 1742.

1742.

 (a) There is hereby created a Dental Assisting Council of the Dental Board of California, which shall consider all matters relating to dental assistants in this state, on its own initiative or upon the request of the board, and make appropriate recommendations to the board and the standing committees of the board, including, but not limited to, the following areas:

(1) Requirements for dental assistant examination, licensure, permitting, and renewal.

(2) Standards and criteria for approval of dental assisting educational programs, courses, and continuing education.

(3) Allowable dental assistant duties, settings, and supervision levels.

(4) Appropriate standards of conduct and enforcement for dental assistants.

(5) Requirements regarding infection control.

(b) (1) The members of the council shall be appointed by the board and shall include the registered dental assistant member of the board, another member of the board, and five registered dental assistants, representing as broad a range of dental assisting experience and education as possible, who meet the requirements of paragraph (2).

(2) The board shall consider, in its appointments of the five registered dental assistant members, recommendations submitted by any incorporated, nonprofit professional society, association, or entity whose membership is comprised of registered dental assistants within the state. Two of those members shall be employed as faculty members of a registered dental assisting educational program approved by the board, and shall have been so employed for at least the prior five years. Three of those members, which shall include one registered dental assistant in extended functions, shall be employed clinically in private dental practice or public safety net or dental health care clinics. All five of those members shall have possessed a current and active registered dental assistant or registered dental assistant in extended functions license for at least the prior five years, and shall not be employed by a current member of the board.

(c) No council appointee shall have served previously on the dental assisting forum or have any financial interest in any registered dental assistant school. All final candidate qualifications and applications for board-appointed council members shall be made available in the published board materials with final candidate selection conducted during the normal business of the board during public meetings.

(d) A vacancy occurring during a term shall be filled by appointment by the board for the unexpired term, according to the criteria applicable to the vacancy within 90 days after it occurs.

(e) Each member shall comply with conflict of interest requirements that apply to board members.

(f) The council may meet in conjunction with other board committees, and at other times as deemed necessary.

(g) Each member shall serve for a term of four years, except that, of the initial appointments of the nonboard members, one of the members shall serve a term of one year, one member shall serve a term of two years, two members shall serve a term of three years, and one member shall serve a term of four years, as determined by the board. No member shall serve more than two full terms.

(h) Recommendations by the council pursuant to this section shall be approved, modified, or rejected by the board within 120 days of submission of the recommendation to the board during full board business. In the event the board rejects, postpones, refers the matter back to the council for any reason, or significantly modifies the intent or scope of the recommendation, the board shall provide its reasons in writing for rejecting or significantly modifying the recommendation, which shall be provided by the board within 30 days.

(i) The council shall select a chair who shall establish the agendas of the council and shall serve as the council’s liaison to the board, including the reporting of the council’s recommendations to the board.

1749.1.

 In addition to any other examination required by this article, the board may require applicants for licensure under this article to successfully complete the Registered Dental Assistant Combined Written and Law and Ethics Examination.

1752.1.

 (a) The board may license as a registered dental assistant a person who files an application and submits written evidence, satisfactory to the board, of one of the following eligibility requirements:

(1) Graduation from an educational program in registered dental assisting approved by the board, and satisfactory performance on the Registered Dental Assistant Combined Written and Law and Ethics Examination administered by the board.

(2) For individuals applying prior to January 1, 2010, evidence of completion of satisfactory work experience of at least 12 months as a dental assistant in California or another state and satisfactory performance on the Registered Dental Assistant Combined Written and Law and Ethics Examination administered by the board.

(3) For individuals applying on or after January 1, 2010, evidence of completion of satisfactory work experience of at least 15 months as a dental assistant in California or another state and satisfactory performance on the Registered Dental Assistant Combined Written and Law and Ethics Examination administered by the board.

(b) For purposes of this section, “satisfactory work experience” means performance of the duties specified in Section 1750.1 in a competent manner as determined by the employing dentist, who shall certify to such satisfactory work experience in the application.

(c) The board shall give credit toward the work experience referred to in this section to persons who have graduated from a dental assisting program in a postsecondary institution approved by the Department of Education or in a secondary institution, regional occupational center, or regional occupational program, that are not, however, approved by the board pursuant to subdivision (a). The credit shall equal the total weeks spent in classroom training and internship on a week-for-week basis. The board, in cooperation with the Superintendent of Public Instruction, shall establish the minimum criteria for the curriculum of nonboard-approved programs. Additionally, the board shall notify those programs only if the program’s curriculum does not meet established minimum criteria, as established for board-approved registered dental assistant programs, except any requirement that the program be given in a postsecondary institution. Graduates of programs not meeting established minimum criteria shall not qualify for satisfactory work experience as defined by this section.

(d) In addition to the requirements specified in subdivision (a), each applicant for registered dental assistant licensure shall provide evidence of having successfully completed board-approved courses in radiation safety and coronal polishing as a condition of licensure. The length and content of the courses shall be governed by applicable board regulations.

(e) In addition to the requirements specified in subdivisions (a) and (d), individuals applying for registered dental assistant licensure on or after January 1, 2010, shall demonstrate satisfactory performance on the Registered Dental Assistant Combined Written and Law and Ethics Examination administered by the board and shall provide written evidence of successful completion within five years prior to application of all of the following:

(1) A board-approved course in the Dental Practice Act.

(2) A board-approved course in infection control.

(3) A course in basic life support offered by an instructor approved by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association, or any other course approved by the board as equivalent.

(f) A registered dental assistant may apply for an orthodontic assistant permit or a dental sedation assistant permit, or both, by submitting written evidence of the following:

(1) Successful completion of a board-approved orthodontic assistant or dental sedation assistant course, as applicable.

(2) Passage of the Registered Dental Assistant Combined Written and Law and Ethics Examination administered by the board that shall encompass the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to competently perform the duties of the particular permit.

(g) A registered dental assistant with permits in either orthodontic assisting or dental sedation assisting shall be referred to as an “RDA with orthodontic assistant permit,” or “RDA with dental sedation assistant permit,” as applicable. These terms shall be used for reference purposes only and do not create additional categories of licensure.

(h) Completion of the continuing education requirements established by the board pursuant to Section 1645 by a registered dental assistant who also holds a permit as an orthodontic assistant or dental sedation assistant shall fulfill the continuing education requirements for the permit or permits.

(i) The board shall, in consultation with the Office of Professional Examination Services, conduct a review to determine whether a practical examination is necessary to demonstrate competency of registered dental assistants, and if so, how this examination should be developed and administered. The board shall submit its review and determination to the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature on or before July 1, 2017.

(j) Notwithstanding any other law, if the review conducted by the Office of Professional Examination Services pursuant to subdivision (i) concludes that the practical examination is unnecessary or does not accurately measure the competency of registered dental assistants, the board may vote to suspend the practical examination. The suspension of the practical examination shall commence on the date the board votes to suspend the practical examination.

(k) The Registered Dental Assistant Combined Written and Law and Ethics Examination required by this section shall comply with Section 139.