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American Board of Dental Examiners, Inc., in lieu of an independent state-developed practical or clinical examination. The Legislature finds that the American Dental Licensing Examination, in both its structure and function, consistently meets generally accepted testing standards and has been found, as it is currently organized and operating, to adequately and reliably measure an applicant’s ability to practice the profession of dentistry.Any person desiring to be licensed as a dentist shall apply to the department to take the licensure examinations and shall verify the information required on the application by oath. The application shall include two recent photographs. There shall be an application fee set by the board not to exceed $100 which shall be nonrefundable. There shall also be an examination fee set by the board, which shall not exceed $425 plus the actual per applicant cost to the department for purchase of some or all of theexamination from the American Board of Dental Examiners or its successor entity, if any, provided the board finds the successor entity’s clinical examination complies with the provisions of this section. The examination fee may be refundable if the applicant is found ineligible to take the examinations.An applicant shall be entitled to take the examinations required in this section to practice dentistry in this state if the applicant:Is 18 years of age or older.Is a graduate of a dental school accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation or its successor entity, if any, or any other dental accrediting entity recognized by the United States Department of Education; or Is a dental student in the final year of a program at such an accredited dental school who has completed all the coursework necessary to prepare the student to perform the clinical and diagnostic procedures required to pass the examinations. With respect to a dental student in the final year of a program at a dental school, a passing score on the examinations is valid for 365 days after the date the examinations were completed. A dental school student who takes the licensure examinations during the student’s final year of an approved dental school must have graduated before being certified for licensure pursuant to s. 466.011. Has successfully completed the National Board of Dental Examiners dental examination; or Has an active health access dental license in this state; andThe applicant has at least 5,000 hours within 4 consecutive years of clinical practice experience providing direct patient care in a health access setting as defined in s. 466.003; the applicant is a retired veteran dentist of any branch of the United States Armed Services who has practiced dentistry while on active duty and has at least 3,000 hours within 3 consecutive years of clinical practice experience providing direct patient care in a health access setting as defined in s. 466.003; or the applicant has provided a portion of his or her salaried time teaching health profession students in any public education setting, including, but not limited to, a community college, college, or university, and has at least 3,000 hours within 3 consecutive years of clinical practice experience providing direct patient care in a health access setting as defined in s. 466.003;The applicant has not been disciplined by the board, except for citation offenses or minor violations;The applicant has not filed a report pursuant to s. 456.049; and The applicant has not been convicted of or pled nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, any felony or misdemeanor related to the practice of a health care profession.If an applicant is a graduate of a dental college or school not accredited in accordance with paragraph (2)(b) or of a dental college or school not approved by the board, the applicant is not entitled to take the examinations required in this section to practice dentistry until she or he satisfies one of the following:Completes a program of study, as defined by the board by rule, at an accredited American dental school and demonstrates receipt of a D.D.S. or D.M.D. from said school; or Submits proof of having successfully completed at least 2 consecutive academic years at a full-time supplemental general dentistry program accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation. This program must provide didactic and clinical education at the level of a D.D.S. or D.M.D. program accredited by the American Dental Association