The Overview

A 2021 UCLA report found that about 79% of California dentists did not treat patients relying on Medi-Cal, and a state law approved on Sept. 20 creates a pilot program allowing dentists from Mexico to work at federally qualified health centers. California's Licensed Dentists from Mexico Pilot Program, Assembly Bill 1307, was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Sept. 20. ​

A 2021 report from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research found that about 79 percent of California dentists did not treat patients on Medi-Cal, and that only 8 percent of the state's dentists were Latino. A University of California, San Francisco report on oral health access also found that younger dentists tend to cluster in urban areas, leaving rural communities short-staffed.

What the Law Does

The law repeals an earlier version of the Licensed Dentists from Mexico Pilot Program and replaces it with a new one. Under the new program, the Dental Board of California must issue three-year, nonrenewable licenses to dentists from Mexico who meet specified criteria. Participants in the program may be employed only by federally qualified health centers that meet specified conditions. The program's costs must be fully covered by philanthropic foundation funding, not state dollars. An evaluation of the program must begin one year after it launches, according to the bill's summary.

Legislative Status

Assemblymember Anamarie Ávila Farías authored the bill. Co-authors include Asm. Jasmeet Bains (D) and Asm. Corey Jackson (D).

On April 1, 2025, the lower chamber voted 17 to 0 to pass the bill as amended. The lower chamber passed it 13 to 1 on May 23, 2025. The full Assembly passed it 72 to 4 on June 3, 2025. The Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee passed it 10 to 0 on June 15, 2026. The full Senate passed it 39 to 0 on Aug. 31, and the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments 77 to 1 the same day.

In a March 24 press release, Ávila Farías said: "AB 1307 addresses this inequity by creating a path for credentialed dentists from Mexican institutions to practice in California's underserved communities." FQHC Talent reported on the law's enactment and summarized the new program.

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