Viruses surge nationwide

ADA encourages dentists to remain vigilant on infection control

ADA asks CMS to allow consumers to use tax credits for dental care under certain Affordable Care Act plans

New ACA Regulations include no significant changes to dental insurance market

Judge orders EPA to address impacts of fluoride in drinking water

ADA says community water fluoridation is safe

PRO-HEAL Act addresses ongoing dental shortage

Bill would expand health care provider pipeline grant programs

Action Alert seeks support for HSA eligibility for over-the-counter oral health care products

New bill makes oral health’s connection to overall health clear, ADA says

States experience Medicaid wins

Victories include reimbursement rate increases, centralized credentialing

Dental clinic operator sentenced for role in $6M pediatric fraud scheme

Keeping your team safe: How to de-escalate encounters with aggressive patients

Dentist competing to be America's next MasterChef

Baby boomer is contestant on new season of TV show airing all summer in primetime

States enact dental benefit legislation

16 new laws passed in 9 states

Federal task force to crack down on e-cigarettes

ADA urges ‘all hands on deck’ in coalition letter

What to know about new Medicaid rules addressing access to care

CMS issued final rules in April related to managed care, fee-for-service plans

3 dental benefit trends you should know

ADA offers information, resources to help with concerns

Medicare Just Got a Little Easier: Three Things to Know

After significant advocacy efforts from the American Dental Association (ADA), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a proposed rule to rescind certain Medicare Part D and C requirements for providers.

New Online Medicaid Complaint Form

The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) implemented a new online Medicaid Complaint Form on June 1.

CODA Proposed Changes to Hygiene Standards — Your Voice Was Heard!

On Friday, Aug. 3, the CODA Commissioners voted to defeat the proposed motion to change the dental hygiene standards.

Controlled Substances Heard in House and Senate

Legislation to limit opioid prescriptions, a high priority for the governor, awaits both Senate and House committees.

FDA-Supported Student Loan Legislation Heard in Committee

The student loan legislation would encourage dentists to practice as Medicaid providers for the underserved. (VIDEO)

False Comparison: Dental Therapists vs. Nurse Practitioners

Advocates proposing dental therapist legislation in Florida have compared dental therapists to nurse practitioners and physician assistants. This is a false comparison.

Controlled Substances Passes First Senate Committee

Dental Therapist Bill Changed to a Study

On Monday, Jan. 29, the House Health Quality Subcommittee approved an amendment to HB 683 that removed the original language of the bill and replaced it with language to study the “affordability, access and delivery of dental care.” (VIDEO)

Dental Student Loan Repayment Program Bills Still Awaiting Second Hearing

Dental Therapist Study Postponed

On Tuesday, Feb. 6, the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee temporarily postponed CS/HB 683 by Rep. Daniel Perez (R-Miami). (VIDEO)

Dental Student Loan Repayment Program Legislation Approved in Senate Committee

Controlled Substance Legislation Heads to Senate Floor

Dental Student Loan Repayment Program Legislation Passes Last Committee

The Dental Student Loan Repayment Program Legislation awaits to be heard by the Senate and the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee.

House Committee Moves Forward Revised Controlled Substances Legislation

The House Health & Human Services Committee passed CS/HB 21 by Rep. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) with a strikeall amendment on Wednesday, Feb. 21. The underlying premise of the bill remains the same, which is to limit the prescribing and dispensing of controlled substances.

Controlled Substances Bill Approved by the House

Legislation to limit the prescribing of controlled substances is approved by the House, awaits the Senate.

Dental Student Loan Repayment Program Legislation Not Approved This Year

Legislation filed this year to help incentivize dentists to practice in underserved areas failed to pass the full Legislature.

Legislation to Create Dental Therapists in Florida Fails to Get Support

This session proved to be a year where false comparisons and distortion of information took center stage as individuals and national organizations lobbied the Legislature to change Florida’s dental workforce.

New Law Limits Prescribing of Controlled Substances

CS/CS/HB 21 was signed into law by the governor on March 19 and becomes effective on July 1, 2018. This law adds a new continuing education requirement along with limits on prescribing opioids.

New! Mandatory Opioid Course for Florida-Licensed Dentists

All licensed dentists must take a two-hour continuing education (CE) course on opioid training by Jan. 31, 2019.

Board of Dentistry Meets in Tallahassee

On May 18, 2018, the Board of Dentistry covered topics such as the new opioid legislation, dental therapists, restorative function, and more.

What You Need to Know About Dental Therapists

This past legislative session, the Florida Dental Association (FDA) was successful in defeating legislation that would have allowed a high school graduate with three years of dental therapy training extract permanent teeth, perform partial root canals and administer local anesthesia under the general supervision of a dentist.

Implementation of New Controlled Substances Legislation

As of July 1, Florida’s new law (HB 21) on the prescribing of controlled substances took effect. To make sure you are up to date on what you need to know, here’s a brief summary.

AHCA Announces Prepaid Dental Contracts Under Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Program

The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) announced its intent to award contracts to MCNA Dental, DentaQuest of Florida and Liberty Dental Plan of Florida to provide dental services under the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) program. The dental plans will each provide services statewide.

Board of Dentistry Meets in Orlando

On Nov. 17, 2017, the Board of Dentistry heard presentations about laser therapy, hygiene, and a dental sedation center.

Dr. Paramore's Update on New Opioid Law

FDA President Dr. Jolene Paramore provides an update on the new opioid legislation and awaits the next Board of Dentistry meeting. (VIDEO)

Opioid Basics, FAQs and the BOD Rule

Read the basics required by the opioid legislation passed during the 2018 Legislative Session, frequently asked questions to assist in clarifying issues that surface when implementing new legislation, and the recently finalized and approved Rule 64B5-17.0045, Standards for the Prescribing of Controlled Substances for the Treatment of Acute Pain.

Board of Dentistry Meets in Tampa

On Aug. 25, 2018, the Board of Dentistry covered topics such as the radiography program and restorative function dental auxiliary proposals, anesthesia, hygienist supervision levels and the recent opioid legislation.

Board of Dentistry Meets in Lake Mary

On Nov. 16, 2018, the Board of Dentistry covered topics such as anesthesia rules, the BOD budget and restorative function dental auxiliary proposal.

Here's the 4-1-1 on Dental Therapy

Florida has become a targeted state for dental therapy legislation. Here's the information you need to know about what that means.

Dental Therapy Bills Filed

Legislation has been filed to license dental therapists in Florida. The Florida Dental Association (FDA) is opposed to dental therapy legislation. Florida does not need another licensed dental professional.

Recent Email Outreach from Pew Regarding Dental Therapy

This week you may have received an email from The Pew Charitable Trusts regarding a proposal to introduce a new licensed provider to Florida, called a dental therapist. This communication did not come through the Florida Dental Association (FDA), nor did the FDA provide member emails to this entity.

Statewide Medicaid Managed Care: Continuity of Care Provisions

The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) contracts with Medicaid health and dental plans to provide services to health plan enrollees in the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) program. AHCA recently entered into new contracts with health and dental plans. As part of those contracts, the ACHA achieved program changes that greatly benefit enrollees and providers.

Continuity of Care Period Extended for Recipients in Regions 9, 10 and 11 for MFC Services, EIS and Child Health Services TCM

The Agency for Health Care Administration (ACHA) contracts with Medicaid health and dental plans to provide services to health plan enrollees in the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) program.

Dental Therapy Legislation Failed to Get Support

The Florida Dental Association (FDA) would like to thank everyone who contacted members on the Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee and asked them to VOTE NO on SB 684 and SB 686 by Sen. Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg), which would have authorized licensure for dental therapists.

Statewide Task Force on Opioid Drug Abuse

On Monday, March 18, the Senate Health Policy Committee approved SB 1658 by Sen. Wilton Simpson (R-Spring Hill).

FDA-supported Bills on the Move

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.

FDA Opposes Dental Therapy Legislation

The FDA opposes legislation filed to create dental therapists in Florida, which includes SB 684 and SB 686 by Sen. Brandes, HB 649 by Rep. Plasencia and HB 471 by Rep. Fernandez-Barquin.

Board of Dentistry Meets in Gainesville

On Friday, Feb. 15, the Board of Dentistry covered topics such as the Dental Sedation Workshop, and revisions and modifications to several rules.

Govenor Announces Task Force on Opioid Abuse

On Monday, April 1, the governor announced the creation of a Statewide Task Force on Opioid Abuse and the re-establishment of the Office of Drug Control within the Executive Office of the Governor to address Florida’s substance abuse crisis.

Dental Student Loan Repayment Program

On Tuesday, April 9, SB 716 by Sen. Ed Hooper (R-Palm Harbor) passed unanimously out of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services.

Dental Student Loan Repayment Program

On Friday, April 26, the Senate considered CS/SB 7078 by Sen. Gayle Harrell (R-Stuart), which includes several different health care policy issues.

Continuing Education for Dentists on Controlled Substances

FDA-supported legislation passed in HB 549 by Rep. Tyler Sirois (R-Merritt Island) that will require dentists to take a two-hour continuing education (CE) course on the safe and effective prescribing of controlled substances during licensure renewal.

FDA's Priority Legislation Approved by the Legislature

The Florida Legislature approved the FDA’s priority legislation that reinstates the dental student loan repayment program and expands the Donated Dental Services (DDS) program in CS/HB 843 by Rep. Ana Maria Rodriguez (R-Doral).

Are You Interested in Becoming a BOD Member?

Did you know there currently are two open positions on the Florida Board of Dentistry (BOD)? A dentist position and a consumer position are both vacant.

FDA Applauds Signing of Dental Care Access Legislation

This week, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law HB 843, which will reestablish a dental student loan repayment program for dentists who practice as Medicaid providers serving low income patients in designated rural and underserved areas.

Information on Nonopioid Alternatives for the Treatment of Pain Pamphlet

House Bill 451, Nonopioid Alternatives, was approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis and became effective on July 1.

Non-DEA License Holders are Now Required to take a Two-hour Opioid Prescribing Course

New legislation requires all dentists, regardless of DEA licensing, to take a two-hour continuing education (CE) course on the safe and effective prescribing of controlled substances during licensure renewal. The license renewal deadline is Feb. 29, 2020.

Florida Board of Dentistry Meets in Orlando

On Friday, May 17, the Florida Board of Dentistry (BOD) covered topics such as an interstate licensure compact, an anesthesia inspection program, sterilization rules and a proposal for RFDA for dental assistants.

Dental Therapy Legislation Filed

Legislation has been filed again to create a new dental licensed provider called a dental therapist. Sen. Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) has filed SB 152.

Florida Board of Dentistry Meets in Jacksonville

On Friday, Aug. 23, the Florida Board of Dentistry (BOD) covered topics such as a petition for variance of waiver of rule that requires only a dentist employ another dentist, as well as updates to the sterilization and anesthesia rules.