What is the focus of Chapter 5 of the California Dental Practice Act?

Chapter 5 of the California Dental Practice Act reflects one of the California Dental Board's prime responsibilities: patient protection. The State of California has tasked the Dental Board with licensing dental professionals who are both competent and ethical to protect the integrity of the profession and prevent harm to patients. Chapter 5 of the California Dental Practice Act covers the legal standards of examination, diagnosis, and treatment to assure the public that they are receiving competent care. It includes references to the "standard of care", the importance of taking health histories and informed consent prior to any treatment. It also addresses a wide range of issues related to delivering emergency care, patient rights, communicating with patients and confidentiality of records.

The needs of patients requiring language translation (including sign language), and support dogs is taken into consideration, as well as patient HIV status, and obligations of dental professionals to report signs of abuse or neglect. Protecting patient rights and access to services is addressed when a dental practice is closing or a patient is being dismissed from a practice. Chapter 5 also deals with patient protection in the case of insufficient diagnostic tests and x-rays being obtained; the dentist's responsibility in performing to the "standard of care" is emphasized throughout this section of the Practice Act.

Dentists are expected to be familiar with the California Dental Practice Act and dental continuing education standards require all dental professionals renewing their licenses to complete a California Dental Practice Act course during every renewal cycle. Remaining current on dental continuing education allows dental professionals to maintain their knowledge and skills and keep current on new legalities and treatment techniques. A wide variety of courses to keep dentists, hygienists, and assistants current are available for immediate download at Dental Didactics CE

Dental Didactics CE is approved as a CE provider by the Dental Board of California: Registered Provider #RP3768 and the Academy of General Dentistry National PACE Provider Program: Provider #217643 Dental CE approvals