FLORIDA – New data shows that dental problems in Florida could cost nearly $1 billion in hospital and emergency room costs by 2024.
To address the growing dental care gap and high emergency room costs, a coalition of healthcare advocacy organizations is urging the state legislature to pass a bill to expand primary dental care by introducing dental therapists.
The Floridians for Dental Access coalition, led by Dr. Frank Catalanotto, has support in the House of Representatives from freshman Republican Representative Daniel Perez of Miami.
Perez, a newly elected legislator, first introduced the bill; it previously died in the State Senate. The Senate, despite its multi-billion dollar plan to strengthen the medical workforce, has yet to agree to include dental therapists.
The report shows that rural areas are particularly affected: nearly 41% of Florida’s 32 rural counties reported a 77% increase in dental bills from hospitals and emergency rooms during the period.
With Senate President Ben Albritton pushing for hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for rural areas of the state, and Perez nearing the end of his two-year term in the House, Catalanotto said lawmakers are looking toward the 2026 session.
“We feel like now is the time, or it will never happen. It has to be done this year,” he told The Florida Phoenix.
A dental therapist is a mid-level dental practitioner similar to a physician assistant, providing preventive and routine dental services such as fillings, temporary crowns, or extractions under the supervision of a dentist; more complex procedures would still be performed by the dentist.
Proponents say the qualifications and regulations required for dental therapists would include graduation from an accredited dental school; passing a dental practice or clinical examination established by the American Board of Dental Examiners; completing at least 24 hours and up to 36 hours of continuing education every two years; and practicing under the supervision of a dentist, though supervision could be provided through a collaborative agreement as “general supervision,” without the dentist’s presence or prior patient examination.
During a dental practice webinar hosted by the CareQuest Oral Health Institute, it was noted that dental therapists earn approximately one-third to one-half of what dentists earn.
A recent assessment by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) indicates that approximately 10,143 new dental practitioners are needed nationwide to address the dental shortage. The agency supports scholarships, loan repayment, and training programs to strengthen the health workforce in underserved areas.
The shortage is particularly acute in Florida. Data indicates that Florida needs approximately 1,259 new dentists to meet the needs of nearly 6 million underserved people. Based on a 2024 population ratio of 59.5 dentists nationwide, Florida will have only 52.4.
A 2025 report from the American Dental Association (ADA) also indicates that only 25.6% of dentists in Florida participate in Medicaid, one of the lowest rates among surrounding states.
State agencies, including the WellFlorida Health Planning Commission and the Florida Dental Services Organization, estimate that approximately 146,000 dental visits will be made to hospitals or emergency rooms in 2024, with costs approaching $1 billion.
Regarding the financial burden, over 20% of dental-related costs in 2024 will come from Medicaid, while approximately 17% (approximately $167.3 million) will be unreimbursed. Since the organization began tracking data in 2021, hospital-related dental bills have increased by 77% overall.
Dental costs increased in nearly all 32 rural counties between 2021 and 2024, with only Liberty and Glades counties experiencing decreases. Despite an approximately 23% increase in the number of dental visits, Madison County saw hospital-related dental costs soar by 592%.
The proposal sparked heated debate within the state. The Florida Dental Association (FDA) has long opposed the creation of new mid-level dental positions.
In a written statement, FDA Chairman Dr. John Paul stated that the association supports policies that “ensure high-quality dental care is provided by fully trained dentists, with qualified dental team members working within the scope of their training.” The association also continues to promote student loan repayment programs that encourage dentists to practice in underserved areas. It also supports the Restorative Function of Dental Assisting (RFDA) certification training model, led by Tallahassee State College, as a model that can be rapidly replicated without requiring years of investment.
Supporters see the lobbying power of opponents as a major obstacle. Catalanotto acknowledged the FDA’s “powerful lobbying system and political action committees.”
In contrast, groups such as the American Children’s Campaign have publicly supported dental therapists and criticized the FDA’s resistance, arguing that the opposition ignores the urgent needs of people suffering from pain and infection.
Advocates emphasize that the inclusion of dental therapists can both increase primary care coverage and reduce emergency room visits and the burden on the public purse. “If nearly $1 billion were invested in expanding primary care—even adding just one dental therapist—it would have a significant impact,” Catalanotto said.
As of now, no final draft bill has been formally submitted for the 2026 session; details of the 2025 proposal are still under discussion, and the direction of the legislation will be closely watched in the coming months.