As a prerequisite for licensure or license renewal every dentist is required to maintain medical malpractice insurance or provide proof of financial responsibility as set forth herein:

Terms Used In Florida Regulations 64B5-17.011

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Beneficiary: A person who is entitled to receive the benefits or proceeds of a will, trust, insurance policy, retirement plan, annuity, or other contract. Source: OCC
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.
    (1) Obtaining and maintaining professional liability coverage in an amount not less than $100,000 per claim, with a minimum annual aggregate of not less than $300,000, from an authorized insurer as defined under Florida Statutes § 624.09, from a surplus lines insurer as defined under Florida Statutes § 626.914(2), from a risk retention group as defined under Florida Statutes § 627.942, from the Joint Underwriting Association established under Florida Statutes § 627.351(4), or through a plan of self-insurance as provided in Florida Statutes § 627.357
    (2) Obtaining and maintaining an unexpired, irrevocable letter of credit, established pursuant to Florida Statutes Chapter 675, in an amount not less than $100,000 per claim, with a minimum aggregate availability of credit of not less than $300,000. The letter of credit shall be payable to the dentist as beneficiary upon presentment of a final judgment indicating liability and awarding damages to be paid by the dentist or upon presentment of a settlement agreement signed by all parties to such agreement when such final judgment or settlement is a result of a claim arising out of the rendering of, or the failure to render, dental care and services. Such letter of credit shall be nonassignable and nontransferable. Such letter of credit shall be issued by any bank or savings association organized and existing under the laws of the State of Florida or any bank or savings association organized under the laws of the United States that has its principal place of business in this state or has a branch office which is authorized under the laws of this state or of the United States to receive deposits in this state.
    (3) Upon application to the Board, the following licensees shall be exempted from meeting the requirements of this rule:
    (a) Any dentist who practices exclusively as an officer, employee or agent of the federal government or of the State of Florida or its agencies or subdivision. For purposes of this rule, an agent of the State of Florida, its agencies or its subdivisions is a person who is eligible for coverage under any self insurance or insurance program authorized by the provisions of Florida Statutes § 768.28(14), or who is a volunteer under Florida Statutes § 110.501(1)
    (b) Any dentist whose license has become inactive under Florida Statutes Chapter 466, and who is not practicing in this state. Any dentist applying for reactivation of a license must show either that such licensee maintained tail insurance which provided liability coverage for incidents that occurred on or after October 1, 1993, or the initial date of licensure in this state, whichever is later, and incidents that occurred before the date on which the license became inactive; or such licensee must submit an affidavit stating that such licensee has no unsatisfied medical malpractice judgments or settlements at the time of application for reactivation.
    (c) Any dentist licensed or certified under Florida Statutes Chapter 466, who practices only in conjunction with his/her teaching duties at an accredited school or in its main teaching hospitals. Such dentist may engage in the practice of dentistry to the extent that such practice is incidental to and a necessary part of duties in connection with the teaching position in the school.
    (d) Any dentist holding an active license under Florida Statutes Chapter 466, who is not practicing in this state. If such person initiates or resumes practice in this state, he/she must notify the Board of such activity.
    (e) Any dentist who can demonstrate to the Board that he/she has no malpractice exposure in the State of Florida.
    (4) Every dentist complying with these requirements pursuant to either subsection (1) or (2), above, shall ensure that such insurance or proof covers liability for actions of any dental hygienist supervised by the dentist. Dental hygienists working unsupervised pursuant to Florida Statutes § 466.0235, shall be required to maintain medical malpractice insurance or provide proof of financial responsibility if he or she is not a volunteer under Florida Statutes § 110.501(1)
Rulemaking Authority Florida Statutes § 466.004(4). Law Implemented Florida Statutes § 456.048. History-New 11-22-93, Amended 3-31-94, Formerly 61F5-17.011, 59Q-17.011, Amended 12-20-98, 3-19-02, 6-13-07.