BILL ANALYSIS
AB 667
Page 1
Date of Hearing: May 13, 2009
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Kevin De Leon, Chair
AB 667 (Block) - As Amended: May 4, 2009
Policy Committee: Health Vote:19-0
Business & Professions 10-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This clarifying bill authorizes a dental assistant or specified
non-healthcare professionals to apply topical fluoride under the
general direction of a licensed dentist or physician when
operating in a school-based setting or public health program and
according to a prescription and medical protocol.
FISCAL EFFECT
No direct fiscal impact to the Dental Board of California, the
California Department of Public Health, and the California
Department of Education to continue oversight of school-based
and public health dental practice in California.
COMMENTS
1)Rationale . This bill is sponsored by the California Dental
Association to increase the efficacy of school- and
community-based dental health. According to the author and
sponsor, clinics and schools sometimes use less effective
fluoride and supplemental treatments because they can be
administered by non-health personnel such as parents or
teachers. However, current law is not clear as to whether
these individuals are authorized to provide the more effective
treatments. This bill clarifies current law to increase the
efficacy of dental health services for children.
2)Background . According to the federal Surgeon General, tooth
decay is the number one chronic health problem of children. By
kindergarten, 50 % of California children have dental decay,
28 % have untreated decay, and 18 % have extensive decay. It
AB 667
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is estimated that more than 500,000 children in California
miss school each year because of dental problems. The
California Children's Dental Disease Prevention Program
(CDDPP) was established in 1979 and has five components:
fluoride supplementation, plaque control, oral health
education, dental sealants and an oral health advisory
committee. There are currently 33 programs statewide serving
326,328 children. Current law authorizes a CDDPP to be offered
to school children in preschool through sixth grade in schools
that have at least 50 % of children eligible for the federal
free and reduced school lunch program.
Analysis Prepared by : Mary Ader / APPR. / (916) 319-2081