Florida Senate bill proposes licensing dental therapists, may help expand oral health

A proposed bill from Florida Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, could improve access to oral healthcare if passed, a report suggested.

The bill, SB 604, seeks to license dental therapists in Florida so they can perform tasks under dentist supervision that include taking and reading X-rays and administering local anesthesia, according to a Feb. 9 report from Florida Politics..

Dental therapists are trained to perform routine and preventive services, including filling cavities, extracting damaged teeth and prescribing antibiotics. To become a dental therapist, dental hygienists must complete two years of study at an accredited program.
A study from the nonprofit advocacy group Florida Voices for Health found that licensing dental therapists could boost patient access and decrease patient costs, the report said. The COVID-19 pandemic further aggravated the dental health crisis in Florida.

SB 604 would take effect July 1 if it's signed into law.

More articles on dental:
Can dental practices add PPE surcharges? That depends
3 dental leadership moves in January
Unemployment rate, job outlook for 6 dental jobs

 

Copyright © 2024 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.

Featured Learning Opportunities

Featured Podcast