Bill > AB341

This bill establishes the Oral Health for People with Disabilities Technical Assistance Center Program, which aims to improve dental care for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities by reducing their reliance on sedation and general anesthesia during dental treatments. By July 1, 2027, the State Department of Developmental Services will contract with a California dental school (preferably a public one) to administer a program that will work with up to 21 regional centers to develop alternative dental care strategies. The contracted dental school will be responsible for creating specialized teams, providing training and support to dental and regional center personnel, designing community-based operational systems, and collecting data on program outcomes. Regional centers will help identify suitable participants, establish vendor agreements with oral health professionals, and facilitate referrals. The program will prioritize developing new approaches to dental care that minimize the need for sedation, drawing on recent advances in dental materials and treatment delivery systems. The bill recognizes that people with developmental disabilities often face barriers to dental care, including longer wait times and increased costs, and seeks to address these challenges by creating a comprehensive, collaborative approach to improving oral health services. The program is set to run until June 30, 2032, with annual reports submitted to the Legislature, and its implementation is contingent upon legislative appropriation.

Budget and Finance, Education, Health and Social Services

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB341