The Association of Dental Support Organizations (ADSO) has praised Florida lawmakers for passing a bill that would create a streamlined licensure pathway for out-of-state healthcare providers, including dentists, who move to the state.
The state senate and house of representatives have passed SB 1600, which aims to attract more dental professionals to the state to address staff shortages and improve access to care. The bill still needs to be signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Currently, 65 out of 67 counties in Florida lack adequate dental services, and the state ranks 31st in dentists per capita in the U.S. Moreover, the hygienist-to-patient ratio in Florida has declined since 2015, exacerbating the issue.
