Here are 12 headlines and statistics on the state of dentistry in Florida in 2024:
- The Florida legislature unanimously passed a bill to update the language in the Dental Practice Act, making it easier to receive a dental license.
- Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Vitana Pediatric & Orthodontic Partners secured an expansion and upsizing of its existing debt facility.
- More than 140 organizations and individuals are lobbying the Florida Legislature to pass two bills that would authorize dental therapists in the state.
- A Florida dentist sued a man for posting negative reviews about him online.
- Boca Raton, Fla.-based Sage Dental opened multiple practices in Florida since the start of 2024.
- Tampa, Fla.-based Smile Design Dentistry, a 50-office DSO, appointed Paul Solomon as its CFO.
- Dental offices in Florida generate $28.49 billion annually, the third most of any state.
- There are 12,350 total dentists in Florida, according to the American Dental Association.
- Dentists in Florida earn $170,930 on average, dental hygienists make $76,100 and dental assistants earn $42,650, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- The average cost to visit an oral surgeon in Florida is between $80 to $119.
- Florida has 261 dental professional shortage areas.
- There are three dental schools in the state: LECOM College of Dental Medicine in Bradenton, Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, and University of Florida College of Dentistry Gainesville.