The 2019 Legislative Session started on Tuesday, March 5 and FDA-supported bills are moving through the committee hearing process. On Monday, March 4, three FDA-supported bills unanimously passed out of the Senate Health Policy Committee.

SB 716 by Sen. Hooper reinstates the Dental Student Loan Repayment Program, which would encourage dentists to work as full-time Medicaid providers in rural and underserved areas in a county health department or a community health center. Dentists who participate in this program would be eligible to receive $50,000 for the repayment of their loans and could participate in the program for a maximum of five years.

Additionally, the bill codifies in statute the Donated Dental Services (DDS) program and provides support for two full-time coordinators and operating expenses. The DDS program is made up of more than 400 volunteer dentists and more than 200 volunteer dental labs that donate care to individuals who are medically compromised, disabled and/or elderly, and are unable to afford dental care needed before receiving medical treatment. The FDA believes that this legislative package will provide Floridians who desperately need access to dental care now, since the Department of Health (DOH) could implement these programs within six months. SB 716 will now head to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services for consideration. The House companion, HB 465 by Rep. Grant, was approved by the House Health Quality Subcommittee and is now in the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee.

SB 648 by Sen. Debbie Mayfield (R-Melbourne) requires dentists — as a part of the Dental Practice Act — to take a two-hour continuing education (CE) course on the safe and effective prescribing of controlled substances during licensure renewal. During the 2018 Legislative Session, HB 21 was adopted and required all health care providers registered with the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to take their CE course from a statewide professional association of physicians, which eliminated courses offered by dentists or dental-affiliated groups. However, there was language in HB 21 that provided an exception from going through a statewide professional association of physicians, which stated that this requirement “does not apply to a licensee who is required by his or her applicable practice act to complete a minimum of two hours of continuing education on the safe and effective prescribing of controlled substances.” Should SB 648 become law, it would allow dentists to take their CE for the prescribing of controlled substances in the manner these types of courses were taken in the past, from approved, certified courses offered by dentists and/or dental-affiliated groups. SB 648 now heads to the Senate Innovation, Industry and Technology Committee for consideration. The House companion, HB 549 by Rep. Tyler Sirois (R-Merritt Island), was approved on Tuesday, March 5, in the House Health Quality Subcommittee and now heads to the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee.

SB 374 by Sen. Gayle Harrell (R-Stuart) adds a dentist to the Children and Youth Cabinet, which includes several stakeholder groups that work to integrate strategies and policies that help children in their growth and development. Having a dentist as a member of the cabinet would help elevate the importance of establishing good oral health habits earlier to help prevent dental disease. SB 374 is now in the Senate Rules Committee. The House companion, HB 1017 by Rep. Patricia Williams (D-Fort Lauderdale), is waiting to be heard in the House Children, Families & Seniors Subcommittee.

The FDA will continue to pursue funding for community water fluoridation. This year, the FDA is asking for $1 million to help support local city and county governments fluoridate their community water systems. For the first time, the FDA is asking for state support for the Florida Mission of Mercy (FLA-MOM) and is requesting $580,000 to help with the FLA-MOM scheduled next year in Jacksonville.

Capital Report, Vol. 26, No. 2 - March 8, 2019

Sep 4, 2024