A Florida House Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee recently advanced a bill to authorize the practice of dental therapists, Florida Politics reported Dec. 9.
Nine notes:
1. Republican Rep. Linda Chaney introduced HB 363 Nov. 5.
2. The bill would allow dental therapists to act as mid-level providers, performing duties such as sealants, fillings, and simple extractions.
3. In order to practice in the state, dental therapists would have to have graduated from an accredited educational program and would be subject to a management agreement with a supervising dentist.
4. Rep. Chaney said in her bill that Florida is in a “dental crisis,” noting that 65 of the state’s 67 counties are designated as dental shortage areas.
5. Dental therapy has been a controversial issue in the state for the last several years. The Florida Dental Association has historically opposed dental therapy, citing concerns about quality of care and the cost of creating a certification program.
6. Hundreds of other organizations support dental therapy in the state as a way to increase access, including Floridians for Dental Access, the American Children’s Campaign and the Florida Dental Hygienists’ Association.
7. Previous efforts to pass a dental therapy bill in the state have failed, including a bill filed during this year’s legislative session.
8. If passed, the bill would go into effect July 1.
9. The bill is now headed to the House Health & Human Services Committee for consideration.
