(1) No person other than a dentist licensed pursuant to this chapter, nor any entity other than a professional corporation or limited liability company composed of dentists, may:

(a) Employ a dentist or dental hygienist in the operation of a dental office.

(b) Control the use of any dental equipment or material while such equipment or material is being used for the provision of dental services, whether those services are provided by a dentist, a dental hygienist, or a dental assistant.

(c) Direct, control, or interfere with a dentist’s clinical judgment. To direct, control, or interfere with a dentist’s clinical judgment may not be interpreted to mean dental services contractually excluded, the application of alternative benefits that may be appropriate given the dentist’s prescribed course of treatment, or the application of contractual provisions and scope of coverage determinations in comparison with a dentist’s prescribed treatment on behalf of a covered person by an insurer, health maintenance organization, or a prepaid limited health service organization.

Any lease agreement, rental agreement, or other arrangement between a nondentist and a dentist whereby the nondentist provides the dentist with dental equipment or dental materials shall contain a provision whereby the dentist expressly maintains complete care, custody, and control of the equipment or practice.

(2) The purpose of this section is to prevent a nondentist from influencing or otherwise interfering with the exercise of a dentist’s independent professional judgment. In addition to the acts specified in subsection (1), no person who is not a dentist licensed pursuant to this chapter nor any entity that is not a professional corporation or limited liability company composed of dentists shall enter into a relationship with a licensee pursuant to which such unlicensed person or such entity exercises control over the following:

(a) The selection of a course of treatment for a patient, the procedures or materials to be used as part of such course of treatment, and the manner in which such course of treatment is carried out by the licensee;

(b) The patient records of a dentist;

(c) Policies and decisions relating to pricing, credit, refunds, warranties, and advertising; and

(d) Decisions relating to office personnel and hours of practice.

(3) Any person who violates this section commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(4) Any contract or arrangement entered into or undertaken in violation of this section shall be void as contrary to public policy. This section applies to contracts entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 1997.

History.—ss. 4, 41, ch. 82-179; ss. 19, 23, 24, ch. 86-291; s. 60, ch. 91-137; s. 7, ch. 91-156; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 4, ch. 97-67.