54 sources monitored
4 updates found
2 actions required
Read time: ~3 minutes
Effective July 1, 2026, all California dental license renewals must include proof of completion of a 2-hour opioid-prescribing continuing education course (CA Business & Professions Code §1645.3). This is a new requirement — it was not required for renewals completed before July 1, 2026.
Why it matters: If your license is due for renewal after July 1 and you don't have the opioid-prescribing CE on file, your renewal may be delayed or rejected. A delayed renewal means practicing with an expired license — a separate and more serious violation.
Your Action Checklist
- Check your license expiration date at CA License Lookup — is your renewal due before or after July 1, 2026?
- If after July 1: find an approved 2-hour opioid-prescribing CE course — search at CA DCA licensee search
- Complete the course and save your completion certificate
- Submit your renewal at Breeze.ca.gov with the CE attached — don't wait until the last month
Estimated cost: $0–$50 — many board-approved courses are free; paid courses range $25–$75
Deadline: June 30, 2026 — 69 days remaining
The CDC updated its Infection Control FAQ for dental healthcare settings (April 2026 revision). Surface disinfectants used in dental operatories must now list an EPA Registration Number and an Emerging Viral Pathogens (EVP) claim on their label to be considered appropriate for semi-critical instrument pre-cleaning.
Several widely-used dental surface disinfectants — including some EPA-registered products without explicit EVP language — may no longer technically qualify under the updated guidance.
Your Action Checklist
- Check your current operatory surface disinfectant label: does it list an EPA Reg. No. and an EVP claim?
- If no: check the EPA List N tool to confirm it qualifies
- If non-compliant: order a compliant brand before your current supply runs out — CaviCide® (EPA Reg. 10492-5), OPTIM 33TB® (EPA Reg. 1839-220-10492), or Mandak® II (EPA Reg. 12455-4)
- Update your infection control SOP to reference the updated CDC guidance and compliant product list
Estimated cost impact: $15–$40 per 32oz bottle for compliant brands; typical solo practice spends $200–$400/yr on disinfectants
CMS has published a proposed rule to increase the reimbursement rate for D0191 (oral screening) from $22 → $31 in California, Texas, and New York, effective January 1, 2027. This is a ~41% rate increase for this code.
Why it matters (but not urgent): If you bill Medicare or treat Medicare patients, this would increase your per-visit revenue by $9 per screening. The rule is not final — no action required now, but worth flagging for your Q4 2026 fee schedule review.
Your Action Checklist
- Flag for Q4 2026 review: D0191 rate change expected Jan 1, 2027 in CA, TX, NY
- No current action required — wait for final rule before updating billing expectations
Nevada has updated its Practice Act to clarify telemedicine requirements for veterinary consultations. If you hold a Nevada veterinary license or treat animals in Nevada, telemedicine visits now require a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) documented before the telemedicine encounter — previously this was ambiguous.
Your Action Checklist
- If you practice veterinary medicine in Nevada or hold a NV veterinary license: review the updated VCPR documentation requirements
- Update telemedicine consent forms if applicable
- No action required for dental-only practices
📊 This Week's Monitoring Summary
| Source Category |
Sources Monitored |
Updates This Week |
| State Dental Boards (all 50) |
50 |
3 (CA, TX, NV) |
| State Vet Boards (all 50) |
50 |
1 (NV) |
| OSHA Updates |
8 |
1 |
| CDC Guidelines |
12 |
1 |
| CMS / Medicare |
6 |
1 |
| DEA / Federal |
6 |
0 |
| Total |
126 |
7 updates, 2 action-required |
🔗 Sources Monitored This Week — Verified URLs