(a) Notwithstanding Section 1716, the board may, by regulation, reduce the renewal fee for a licensee who has practiced dentistry for 20 years or more in this state, has reached the age of retirement under the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 301 et seq.), and customarily provides his or her services free of charge to any person, organization, or agency. In the event that charges are made, these charges shall be nominal. In no event shall the aggregate of these charges in any single calendar year be in an amount that would render the licensee ineligible for full social security benefits. The board shall not reduce the renewal fee under this section to an amount less than one-half of the regular renewal fee.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 1716, any licensee who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the board that he or she is unable to practice dentistry due to a disability, may request a waiver of 50 percent of the renewal fee. The granting of a waiver shall be at the discretion of the board, and the board may terminate the waiver at any time. A licensee to whom the board has granted a waiver pursuant to this subdivision shall not engage in the practice of dentistry unless and until the licensee pays the current renewal fee in full and establishes to the satisfaction of the board, on a form prescribed by the board and signed under penalty of perjury, that the licensee’s disability either no longer exists or no longer affects his or her ability to safely practice dentistry.

(Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 728, Sec. 10. Effective January 1, 2002.)