Florida lawmakers introduced a new bill on February 11, aiming to address the state’s growing dental shortage. House Bill 21 proposes a three-year certification for dental therapists, a significant reduction from the usual eight years required to become a fully licensed dentist. The bill, expected to cost around $156,108 to implement, would allow dental therapists to perform routine dental tasks under the supervision of a licensed dentist.
Frank Catalanotto, president of Floridians for Dental Access, explained in an interview with Bay News 9 that dental therapists would focus on basic procedures, while dentists would handle more complex treatments. Catalanotto added in another interview with the Tampa Bay Times that 14 states, along with several industrialized countries, have already licensed dental therapists to care for patients.
Dental Care Access Crisis
According to the bill’s analysis, nearly 5.9 million Floridians live in one of 274 designated dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). These areas, defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, have a shortage of health professionals. This lack of dental care access is reflected in troubling statistics.
A 2023 report by the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health revealed that Florida children aged 14 and under seek emergency care for non-traumatic dental issues at some of the highest rates in the country. The report also noted that Florida hospitals were billed nearly $550 million in 2021 for treating non-traumatic dental conditions.
Support and Opposition
The bill has gained significant support. It passed 14-1 in the House Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee, with supporters highlighting disparities in access to care. In counties like Dixie and Glades, there are no licensed dentists, while other areas have over 80 dentists for every 100,000 residents.
Roy Miller, president of the American Children’s Campaign, has also voiced his support, telling the Tampa Bay Times, “We intend on winning this.”
However, the proposal has faced resistance from some dental associations, who suggest alternatives such as expanding loan repayment programs for dental students who provide services to Medicaid patients. Others have proposed expanding training for dental hygienists and dental assistants as another solution to the shortage.
