Advocates press delegation to advance dental-therapy licensing as part of response to oral-health crisis

Roy Miller of the American Children's Campaign and Raquel Tejeda of Central Florida Healthcare called on the delegation to back legislation authorizing a Florida registered dental therapist, arguing the state faces an oral-health crisis and that dental therapists expand access in underserved areas.

Miller described the problem as widespread: “We have 120,000 people going to emergency rooms every year in Florida” for dental problems and said emergency-room care costs the state about $500,000,000 annually. Tejeda, a licensed dental hygienist and director of dental-hygiene providers, urged support for a mid-level dental provider who would be trained, licensed and regulated to perform essential uncomplicated procedures under general supervision so that care can be delivered in schools, daycares and community health centers.

Both speakers said dental therapists pass comparable clinical exams for their scope and that the model is voluntary for dentists to adopt. Tejeda asked the delegation explicitly: “I respectfully ask for your support of legislation that would authorize the licensing of a mid level dental provider in Florida, the Florida registered dental therapist.”