Bill > H0021

Introduced Session

An act relating to dental therapy; amending s. 409.906, F.S.; authorizing Medicaid to reimburse for dental services provided in a mobile dental unit that is owned by, operated by, or contracted with a health access setting or another similar setting or program; amending s. 466.001, F.S.; revising legislative purpose and intent; amending s. 466.002, F.S.; providing applicability; amending s. 466.003, F.S.; defining the terms "dental therapist" and "dental therapy"; amending s. 466.004, F.S.; requiring the chair of the Board of Dentistry to appoint a Council on Dental Therapy, effective after a specified timeframe; providing for membership, meetings, and the purpose of the council; amending s. 466.006, F.S.; revising the definitions of the terms "full-time practice" and "full-time practice of dentistry within the geographic boundaries of this state within 1 year" to include full-time faculty members of certain dental therapy schools; amending s. 466.009, F.S.; requiring the Department of Health to allow any person who fails the dental therapy examination to retake the examination; providing that a person who fails a practical or clinical examination to practice dental therapy and who has failed one part or procedure of hb21-02-c2 the examination may be required to retake only that part or procedure to pass the examination; amending s. 466.011, F.S.; requiring the board to certify an applicant for licensure as a dental therapist; creating s. 466.0136, F.S.; requiring the board to require each licensed dental therapist to complete a specified number of hours of continuing education; requiring the board to adopt rules and guidelines; authorizing the board to excuse licensees from continuing education requirements in certain circumstances; amending s. 466.016, F.S.; requiring a practitioner of dental therapy to post and display her or his license in each office where she or he practices; amending s. 466.017, F.S.; requiring the board to adopt certain rules relating to dental therapists; authorizing a dental therapist to administer local anesthesia under certain circumstances; authorizing a dental therapist under the direct supervision of a dentist to perform certain duties if specified requirements are met; authorizing a dental therapist providing services in a mobile dental unit under the general supervision of a dentist to perform certain duties if specified requirements are met; requiring a dental therapist to notify the board in writing within a specified timeframe after hb21-02-c2 specified adverse incidents; requiring a complete written report to be filed with the board within a specified timeframe; providing for disciplinary action of a dental therapist; amending s. 466.018, F.S.; providing that a dentist of record remains primarily responsible for the dental treatment of a patient regardless of whether the treatment is provided by a dental therapist; requiring that the initials of a dental therapist who renders treatment to a patient be placed in the record of the patient; creating s. 466.0225, F.S.; providing application requirements and examination and licensure qualifications for dental therapists; creating s. 466.0227, F.S.; authorizing a dental therapist to perform specified services under the general supervision of a dentist under certain conditions; requiring that a collaborative management agreement be signed by a supervising dentist and a dental therapist and to include certain information; requiring the supervising dentist to determine the number of hours of practice that a dental therapist must complete before performing certain authorized services; authorizing a supervising dentist to restrict or limit the dental therapist's practice in a collaborative management agreement; providing that a supervising dentist may authorize a dental therapist hb21-02-c2 to provide dental therapy services to a patient before the dentist examines or diagnoses the patient under certain conditions; requiring a supervising dentist to be licensed and practicing in this state; specifying that the supervising dentist is responsible for certain services; amending s. 466.026, F.S.; providing criminal penalties; amending s. 466.028, F.S.; revising grounds for denial of a license or disciplinary action to include the practice of dental therapy; amending s. 466.0285, F.S.; prohibiting persons other than licensed dentists from employing a dental therapist in the operation of a dental office and from controlling the use of any dental equipment or material in certain circumstances; amending s. 921.0022, F.S.; conforming a provision to changes made by the act; requiring the department, in consultation with the board and the Agency for Health Care Administration, to provide reports to the Legislature by specified dates; requiring that certain information and recommendations be included in the reports; providing an effective date.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Linda Chaney (R)*,  Michelle Salzman (R), 

Other Sponsors (2)

Died in Rules (on 06/16/2025)

Official Document