FL S0604

Creates a new licensed profession of "dental therapist" in Florida, establishing examination requirements, licensure qualifications, continuing education of 24-36 hours biennially, and a Council on Dental Therapy to advise the Board of Dentistry

Limits dental therapy practice to specified settings serving underserved populations, including health access settings, community health centers, nursing facilities, schools, correctional facilities, dental health professional shortage areas, and clinics where at least 50% of patients are Medicaid-enrolled or low-income/uninsured

Authorizes dental therapists to perform services under general supervision of a dentist through a written collaborative management agreement, including procedures such as pulpotomies on primary teeth, placement of space maintainers, evaluation of radiographs, administration of local anesthesia, and dispensing nonopioid analgesics and antibiotics

Expands Medicaid reimbursement for dental services provided through mobile dental units owned by or contracted with health access settings or similar programs serving underserved populations, including homeless shelters, schools, and Early Head Start programs

Requires the Department of Health to submit a progress report to the Legislature by July 1, 2024, and a final report 3 years after the first dental therapy license is issued, covering impacts on patient access, costs, quality, safety, and recommendations for reforms