State and Federal Regulations mandate the need for dentists
Title 22 of the California code is superseded by the Code of Federal Regulations, US Code Title 42: § 483.55 Dental services.
The facility must assist residents in obtaining routine and 24-hour emergency dental care.
(a) Skilled nursing facilities.
A facility
(1) Must provide or obtain from an outside resource, in accordance with §483.75(h) of this part, routine and emergency dental services to meet the needs of each resident.
(2) May charge a Medicare resident an additional amount for routine and emergency dental services.
(3) Must if necessary, assist the resident
(i) In making appointments, and
(ii) By arranging for transportation to and from the dentist’s office
(4) Promptly refer residents with lost or damaged dentures to a dentist.
(b) Nursing facilities.
The facility
(1) Must provide or obtain from an outside resource, in accordance with §483.75(h) of this part, the following dental services to meet the needs of each resident:
(i) Routine dental services (to the extent covered under the State plan), and
(ii) Emergency dental services.
(2) Must, if necessary, assist the resident.
(i) In making appointments, and
(ii) By arranging for transportation to and from the dentist’s office, and
(3) Must promptly refer residents with lost or damaged dentures to a dentist. [56 FR 48875, Sept. 26, 1991]