Two states recently introduced legislation to help alleviate dental workforce shortages.
More details:
Assembly Bill 481 would adjust certain regulations for dental and orthodontic assistants. This includes lowering the amount of on-the-job training requirements from 15 months to 800 supervised hours, reformatting orthodontic assistant permits into a certificated course without an exam and allowing people who move to California and hold a certified dental assistant certificate to apply for registered dental assistant licensure if they meet certain criteria, among other changes.
A proposed bill in Oregon would allocate $20 million toward state programs to recruit dental hygienists and assistants. Among the organizations that would receive funding are the Oregon Health Authority to create incentives to retain employees and recruit new staff and the State Workforce and Talent Development Board to create a free education program for dental assistants.