The Florida Senate

466.0282  Specialties.--

(1)  A dentist licensed under this chapter may not hold himself or herself out as a specialist, advertise membership in or specialty recognition by an accrediting organization, or advertise that his or her practice is limited to a specific area of dentistry, unless the dentist:

(a)  Has completed a specialty education program approved by the American Dental Association and the Commission on Dental Accreditation;

(b)  Is eligible for examination by a national specialty board recognized by the American Dental Association;

(c)  Is a diplomate of a national specialty board recognized by the American Dental Association; or

(d)  Has continuously held himself or herself out as a specialist since December 31, 1964, in a specialty recognized by the American Dental Association.

(2)  The purpose of this section is to prevent a dentist from advertising membership in an organization which may be perceived by the public as recognizing or accrediting specialization in an area of dentistry that is not recognized or accredited by the American Dental Association. The purpose of this section is also to prohibit a dentist from advertising that the dentist's practice is limited to an area of dentistry that is not recognized as a specialty by the American Dental Association. The Legislature finds that dental consumers rely on recognition by the American Dental Association as proof that an area of dentistry is recognized as a legitimate dental specialty by other dentists and that the accrediting or recognizing organization of that specialty is bona fide. The Legislature also finds not only that the American Dental Association, unlike the board, has the administrative staff and financial resources necessary to investigate and thoroughly evaluate whether an accrediting or recognizing organization is capable of accurately determining whether an area of dentistry is uniquely defined and educationally disciplined so as to meet a substantial public need for clinical treatment, but also that this accreditation process is the least restrictive means available to ensure that consumers are not misled about whether an area of dentistry is a legitimate specialty. Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature that the findings of the American Dental Association's accreditation process for dental specialties be relied on by the board.

(3)  Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow the board to recognize any specialty that is not recognized by the American Dental Association.

History.--s. 4, ch. 94-105; s. 6, ch. 96-281; s. 1111, ch. 97-103.