Florida Senate - 2019                                     SB 648
       
       
        
       By Senator Mayfield
       
       
       
       
       
       17-01055-19                                            2019648__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to continuing education for dentists;
    3         amending s. 466.0135, F.S.; requiring a licensed
    4         dentist to complete a minimum of 2 hours of continuing
    5         education on the prescribing of controlled substances
    6         biennially; providing an effective date.
    7          
    8  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
    9  
   10         Section 1. Subsection (1) of section 466.0135, Florida
   11  Statutes, is amended to read:
   12         466.0135 Continuing education; dentists.—
   13         (1) In addition to the other requirements for renewal set
   14  out in this chapter, each licensed dentist shall be required to
   15  complete biennially at least not less than 30 hours of
   16  continuing professional education in dental subjects, with at
   17  least 2 hours of continuing education on the safe and effective
   18  prescribing of controlled substances. Programs of continuing
   19  education shall be programs of learning that contribute directly
   20  to the dental education of the dentist and may include, but
   21  shall not be limited to, attendance at lectures, study clubs,
   22  college postgraduate courses, or scientific sessions of
   23  conventions; and research, graduate study, teaching, or service
   24  as a clinician. Programs of continuing education shall be
   25  acceptable when adhering to the following general guidelines:
   26         (a) The aim of continuing education for dentists is to
   27  improve all phases of dental health care delivery to the public.
   28         (b) Continuing education courses shall address one or more
   29  of the following areas of professional development, including,
   30  but not limited to:
   31         1. Basic medical and scientific subjects, including, but
   32  not limited to, biology, physiology, pathology, biochemistry,
   33  and pharmacology;
   34         2. Clinical and technological subjects, including, but not
   35  limited to, clinical techniques and procedures, materials, and
   36  equipment; and
   37         3. Subjects pertinent to oral health and safety.
   38         (c) The board may also authorize up to three hours of
   39  credit biennially for a practice management course that includes
   40  principles of ethical practice management, provides substance
   41  abuse, effective communication with patients, time management,
   42  and burnout prevention instruction.
   43         (d) Continuing education credits shall be earned at the
   44  rate of one-half credit hour per 25-30 contact minutes of
   45  instruction and one credit hour per 50-60 contact minutes of
   46  instruction.
   47         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2019.