California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill AB 1519 earlier this month. The bill also prevents companies from forcing customers to waive their rights to file complaints to state dental boards.
Though SmileDirectClub stated that they were “pleased” with the signing, they claim the bill “creates unnecessary hurdles and costs” for patients struggling to afford dental services. They called the policy changes, “undebated, clinically unsupported and ill-advised,” as well as an “attempt to protect traditional dentistry at the expense of Californians.”
SmileDirectClub says they will not change or halt their operations, and that legislation can’t take effect until stakeholders have debated the merits of the proposed law.
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