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.
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