Dental Data Collection Bill Passes Out Of The Senate Sacramento, CA - A bill to collect data in the dental industry passed out of the Senate Floor on a vote of 23-15. Assembly bill 269, which is authored by Assemblymember Mike Eng (D – Monterey Park), specifically allows the California Dental Board and the Committee on Dental Auxiliaries to collect data on their licensees’ ethnic background and language proficiency based on the zip code of primary practice. “AB 269 is necessary to identify the shortages of dentists and dental auxiliaries with cultural or linguistic competency,” stated Assemblymember Eng. “Much has been discussed about the projected shortages of dental providers during the past several years, but to-date we still do not have data on the mal-distribution.” According to research conducted by the Center for California Health Workforce Studies, California currently does not have an agency or entity directly charged with measuring and analyzing trends and needs in the state’s health care workforce. More specifically, there is no comprehensive assessment of the availability and geographic distribution of dentists in California. It was reported that over 4 million people live in communities with a shortage of dental providers. Contact a Local Dentist to learn more about how to maintain your oral heath!