California signs AB 1760 dentistry changes

What happened

California chaptered AB 1760 on August 31 as Chapter 167. The dentistry law replaces the prior subject-examination score threshold with a passing grade for a two-year reexamination exemption, but requires the entire examination to be retaken after three failed attempts at a section. It also clarifies foreign dental-school pathways and documentation for licensure without a California examination: qualifying out-of-state clinical practitioners and full-time faculty generally document 5,000 clinical hours within the preceding five years, while the specified out-of-state public-health nonclinical pathway uses an average of 40 hours a week for at least five years.

The auxiliary provisions add polishing and contouring existing amalgam restorations for registered dental assistants in extended functions licensed on or after January 1, 2010, under a licensed dentist's direct supervision, order, control, and full professional responsibility. Radiation-safety courses retain a minimum 32 hours, including eight didactic, 12 laboratory, and 12 clinical hours; distance learning is allowed for the didactic component, with technology disclosures and assistance. Previously approved courses retain approval until January 1, 2028, and must apply under the revised process to offer courses on or after that date. These specific permissions leave qualification and hands-on training conditions in place.

Why it matters

Dental credentialing and training programs need to map the enacted text to their procedures and confirm commencement before implementation.

Sources

• AB1760 chaptered operative textOfficial · California Legislature · 2026-08-31 · Source review 2026-10-11
• AB 1760, legislative historyOfficial · California Legislature · 2026-08-31 · Source review 2026-09-06
• California Constitution, Article IV section 8(c), official Assembly 2023–24 editionOfficial · California State Assembly · Source review 2026-10-14