Florida dental care at a breaking point: Grassroots push for dental therapists in 2026
Florida and good dental health do not go hand in hand, according to recent reports, and Florida lawmakers and a grassroots organization have plans to help improve the situation.1
The statistics speak for themselves: Florida children 14 and younger visited emergency rooms for nontraumatic dental conditions at one of the highest rates in the country.2 Approximately 146,000 people visited and nearly $1 billion was spent on dental emergency room and hospital visits in the state in 2024.3 Nearly 41% of the state’s 32 rural counties reported a 77% increase in dental-related hospital and emergency room billings.3
Florida citizens for a dental cause
Grassroots organization Floridians for Dental Access has appealed to the Florida Legislature to work to solve this problem in the form of allowing dental therapists to work in the state. Dental therapists are mid-level dental health providers that are still a relatively new concept.
This idea has actually been on the Legislature’s radar for a while but has been squashed for various reasons in the past. But Floridians for Access believe now is the time to push extra hard for the measure in 2026.3
Frank Catalanotto, Floridians for Access founder and a former dean of the University of Florida College of Dentistry, told the Florida Phoenix, “It’s got to be [introduced] this year. It’s now or never.”
Why this might be the year for the bill to pass
At least two events have come together for 2026 to be the make-or-break year for dental therapists in Florida. Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez has been in favor of the bill since he was elected. He sponsored the bill as a freshman legislator, and his term is up soon. Also, Senate President Ben Albritton is pushing for hundreds of millions of state dollars to be used in rural Florida counties for health care.
“People are suffering, and we as a society are paying for it,” Catalanotto told the Florida Phoenix. “What I could have done with $1 billion and a dental therapist would have been unbelievable.”
What are dental therapists?
Dental therapists are often compared to physician assistants. They require extensive training, must be licensed to practice, and are required to work under the supervision of a dentist. According to the National Partnership for Dental Therapy website, while dental therapists can work in a variety of settings, they’re often specifically trained to offer care in chronic shortage areas.4
“Working under the off-site supervision of a dentist and collaborating via telehealth, dental therapists can bring care to people where they are, whether that’s schools, nursing homes, or rural communities,” states the website.4
Several states have either adopted dental therapist programs or are in the process. Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Maine, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin have authorized therapists, and about a dozen other states are exploring the option.4
FDA offers controversy
It should be noted that the Florida Dental Association opposes the effort to introduce mid-level dental professionals.3 Many of those who support the move are betting that 2026 will be no exception.
The FDA says it supports other options that they explained in a prepared statement to the Florida Phoenix. These include, among other things, “supporting the state’s dental student loan repayment program, which encourages dentists to practice in underserved areas around the state.”3
Catalanotto acknowledged that the FDA has a very strong lobbying group.
References
1. Florida lawmakers push three-year dental certification to ease dental shortage. Oral Health Group. February 19, 2025. https://www.oralhealthgroup.com/news/florida-lawmakers-push-three-year-dental-certification-to-ease-dentist-shortage-1003984501/
2. Report: Florida leads nation in children using ER for tooth pain. December 20, 2023. KTLA. https://ktla.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/676147515/report-florida-leads-nation-in-children-using-er-for-tooth-pain/
3. Sexton C. 2026 session is go time for dental therapist advocates. Florida Phoenix. September 21, 2025. https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/09/21/2026-session-is-go-time-for-dental-therapist-advocates/
4. About dental therapy. National Partnership for Dental Therapy. https://www.dentaltherapy.org/about/about-dental-therapy
About the Author
Meg Kaiser
Associate Editor
Meg Kaiser is an associate editor in Endeavor Business Media’s Dental Division. She works on DentistryIQ.com, RDH eVillage and RDH Graduate newsletters, Dental Economics magazine, and RDH magazine, and has for nearly 20 years. She knew she'd caught the dental bug when she began preaching oral-systemic health to everyone she met. Contact her at [email protected].