(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice may operate one mobile dental hygiene clinic registered as a dental hygiene office or facility. The owner or operator of the mobile dental hygiene clinic or unit shall be registered and operated in accordance with regulations established by the dental hygiene board, which regulations shall not be designed to prevent or lessen competition in service areas, and shall pay the fees described in Section 1944.
(b) A mobile service unit, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 1765.105 of the Health and Safety Code, and a mobile unit operated by an entity that is exempt from licensure pursuant to subdivision (b), (c), or (h) of Section 1206 of the Health and Safety Code, are exempt from this article. Notwithstanding this exemption, the owner or operator of the mobile unit shall notify the dental hygiene board within 60 days of the date on which dental hygiene services are first delivered in the mobile unit, or the date on which the mobile unit’s application pursuant to Section 1765.130 of the Health and Safety Code is approved, whichever is earlier.
(c) A licensee practicing in a mobile unit described in subdivision (b) is not subject to subdivision (a) as to that mobile unit.
(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 456, Sec. 21. (SB 786) Effective January 1, 2020.)