Licensed Dentists from Mexico Pilot Program

The program is designed to add dental providers in federally qualified health centers serving areas with dental workforce shortages. Philanthropic foundations, rather than state funds, must cover program administration and evaluation.

What the law does ​

• Requires the Dental Board of California to issue nonrenewable three-year licenses to up to 30 qualified dentists from Mexico.
• Requires applicants to verify Mexican dental education, certification and licensure; meet English-language standards; complete a California-focused orientation; complete infection-control training; and pass the California Dental Law and Ethics Examination.
• Allows licensing before a participant receives a Social Security number if the person otherwise qualifies and shows they have sought a three-year visa, but permits license termination if the visa is denied or required information is not provided.
• Limits participants' employment to qualifying federally qualified health centers serving an area with a health-professional or dental-professional shortage.
• Requires employing centers to conduct federal peer review, arrange 10 secondary reviews of randomly selected patient encounters for each participant every six months, and provide the same employment benefits, pay, policies, and malpractice insurance offered to other employees.
• Requires an evaluation beginning one year after the program starts and requires philanthropic foundations to pay evaluation and administration costs.

Who it affects ​

• Dentists educated, certified, and licensed in Mexico who seek a temporary California dental license.
• Federally qualified health centers that employ pilot participants.
• Patients receiving dental care at participating health centers.
• The Dental Board of California and the Director of Consumer Affairs.

Context ​

The board must implement the program within six months after receiving at least $200,000 in philanthropic funding.