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The purpose of this booklet is to assemble and/or identify in one place the Florida laws and rules to which the Board of Dentistry, the Department of Health and Florida licensed dentists and dental hygienists must adhere.All of the Florida statutes and administrative rules mentioned in this introduction are not included in this booklet but are easily obtained on request. (Those in bold are included.)Chapter 466, Florida Statutes, is the law which governs the practice of dentistry in the State of Florida.In addition to the law, the Board promulgates rules to further define the mandate of the law.Chapter 64B5 (formerly 59Q), Florida Administrative Code, includes the rules promulgated by the Board of Dentistry. The Board is required by law to promulgate certain rules to implement specific mandates with Florida Statutes, Chapters 466, 455, and 120, and the Board has specific authority to promulgate other rules within these statutes so long as the rules are not inconsistent with the laws.Chapter 456, Florida Statutes, is the law that governs the Department of Health. Within Chapter 456, the Department’s and the Board’s scopes interrelate and intertwine and the Board must/may promulgate rules in order for the Department to carry pit the mandate of the law.Chapter 120, Florida Statutes, is the Administrative Procedures Act. The purpose of the act is to ensure that the general public has access to information regarding the functions and duties of administrative bodies, e.g. Board of Dentistry and Department of Health, whose actions may affect the interests of private citizens.Under Chapter 120, The Administration Commission (the Governor and Cabinet) has adopted model rules (Chapter 28) by which agencies are required to abide when dealing with rulemaking and hearing procedures to the extent that each agency does not adopt a specific rule of procedure covering the subject matter material contained in the model rules applicable to that agency.466.001 Legislative purpose and intent.—The legislative purpose for enacting this chapter is to ensure that every dentist or dental hygienist practicing in this state meets minimum requirements for safe practice without undue clinical interference by persons not licensed under this chapter. It is the legislative intent that dental services be provided only in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and not be delegated to unauthorized individuals. It is the further legislative intent that dentists and dental hygienists who fall below minimum competency or who otherwise present a danger to the public shall be prohibited from practicing in this state. All provisions of this chapter relating to the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene shall be liberally construed to carry out such purpose and intent.466.002 Persons exempt from operation of chapter.—Nothing in this chapter shall apply to the following practices, acts, and operations:The practice of her or his profession including surgical procedures involving the oral cavity by a physician or surgeon licensed as such under the laws of this state.A qualified anesthetist giving an anesthetic for a dental operation under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist.The practice of dentistry in the discharge of their official duties by graduate dentists or dental surgeons in the United States Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Public Health Service, Coast Guard, or United States Department of Veterans Affairs.The practice of dentistry by licensed dentists of other states or countries at meetings of dental organizations approved by the board, while appearing as clinicians.Students in Florida schools of dentistry and dental hygiene or dental assistant educational programs, while performing regularly assigned work under the curriculum of such schools.Instructors in Florida schools of dentistry, instructors in dental programs that prepare persons holding D.D.S. or D.M.D. degrees for certification by a specialty board and that are accredited in the United States by January 1, 2005, in the same manner as the board recognizes accreditation for Florida schools of dentistry that are not otherwise affiliated with a Florida school of dentistry, or instructors in Florida schools of dental hygiene or dental assistant educational programs, while performing regularly assigned instructional duties