(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that all persons licensed in this state to engage in the practice of dentistry shall be accorded equal professional status and privileges, without regard to the degree earned.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no nonprofit hospital service plan or self-insured employee welfare benefit plan shall discriminate, with respect to employment, staff privileges, or the provision of, or contracts for, professional services, against a licensed dentist solely on the basis of the educational degree held by the dentist.