The Board proposes the rule amendment to update the standards for Board approval of pro bono programs.

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Board of Dentistry

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

64B5-12.0185Standards for Board Approval of Pro Bono Programs

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposes the rule amendment to update the standards for Board approval of pro bono programs.

SUMMARY: The standards for Board approval of pro bono programs will be updated.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: During discussion of the economic impact of this rule at its Board meeting, the Board, based upon the expertise and experience of its members, determined that a Statement of Estimated Regulatory Costs (SERC) was not necessary and that the rule will not require ratification by the Legislature. No person or interested party submitted additional information regarding the economic impact at that time.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 456.013(9) FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 456.013(9) FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAR.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Jessica Sapp, Executive Director, Board of Dentistry, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C08, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3258 or [e-mail].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

64B5-12.0185 Standards for Board Approval of Pro Bono Programs.

(1) To receive Board approval, programs seeking to provide continuing education credit for the provision of pro bono dental services must meet the following guidelines:

(a) through (b) No change.

(c) Any volunteer dental hygienist must be under the appropriate supervision of a Florida licensed dentist as set forth in Chapter 64B5-16, F.A.C., unless volunteering in a health access setting as defined in 466.003(14), F.S., and following all requirements set forth in 466.024 (2 – 5), F.S.

(d) No change.

(e) The program must require the volunteer dentist or dental hygienist to sign out with the program’s director or designee upon concluding the rendering of pro bono dental or dental hygiene services.

(f) The program shall calculate the award of continuing education credit based upon the time each dentist or dental hygienist has actually dedicated to the performance of substantial professional dental or dental hygiene services for indigent patients.

(e)(g) The program must retain documentation of the number of hours of volunteer professional service contributed by each volunteer involved in the program’s pro bono activities. This documentation shall contain the name and license number of each participant; the dates and times of all pro bono activity; the location of the related patient records; and in the case of dental hygienist volunteers, not providing services in health access settings, the name and license number of the supervising Florida licensed dentist. Such records must be maintained for a minimum of 4 years following the biennium in which the pro bono services are provided.

(2) Programs that request board approval shall apply to the Board office through CE Brokeer and shall submit all documentation that shall prove compliance with this rule. The following pro bono programs are found by the Board to meet the foregoing requirements and are hereby approved by the Board:

(a) Programs affiliated with Project Dentists Care.

(b) Programs operated by accredited dental colleges or schools and accredited dental hygiene programs.

(c) Florida Dental Association Foundation and Florida Mission of Mercy.

(d) SmileFaith, Incorporated’s charitiable dental events at its Veterans Dental Clinic.

(3) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 456.013(9) FS. Law Implemented 456.013(9) FS. History–New 2-15-99, Amended 5-12-16, 12-11-19,     .

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Dentistry

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Dentistry

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: August 21, 2020

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: December 31, 2020.