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Florida Statute 466.026 - Full Text and Legal Analysis Florida Statute 466.026 | Lawyer Caselaw & Research
Fla. Stat. § 466.026 (2026) Copy Cite Official Site Syfertize CourtListener Amendments
466.026 Prohibitions; penalties.
(1) Each of the following acts constitutes a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084:
(a) Practicing dentistry or dental hygiene unless the person has an appropriate, active license issued by the department pursuant to this chapter.
(b) Using or attempting to use a license issued pursuant to this chapter which license has been suspended or revoked.
(c) Knowingly employing any person to perform duties outside the scope allowed such person under this chapter or the rules of the board.
(d) Giving false or forged evidence to the department or board for the purpose of obtaining a license.
(e) Selling or offering to sell a diploma conferring a degree from a dental college or dental hygiene school or college, or a license issued pursuant to this chapter, or procuring such diploma or license with intent that it shall be used as evidence of that which the document stands for, by a person other than the one upon whom it was conferred or to whom it was granted.
(2) Each of the following acts constitutes a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083:
(a) Using the name or title “dentist,” the letters “D.D.S.” or “D.M.D.”, or any other words, letters, title, or descriptive matter which in any way represents a person as being able to diagnose, treat, prescribe, or operate for any disease, pain, deformity, deficiency, injury, or physical condition of the teeth or jaws or oral-maxillofacial region unless the person has an active dentist’s license issued by the department pursuant to this chapter.
(b) Using the name “dental hygienist” or the initials “R.D.H.” or otherwise holding herself or himself out as an actively licensed dental hygienist or implying to any patient or consumer that she or he is an actively licensed dental hygienist unless that person has an active dental hygienist’s license issued by the department pursuant to this chapter.
(c) Presenting as her or his own the license of another.
(d) Knowingly concealing information relative to violations of this chapter.
(e) Performing any services as a dental assistant as defined herein, except in the office of a licensed dentist, unless authorized by this chapter or by rule of the board.
History.ss. 1, 3, ch. 79-330; ss. 2, 3, ch. 81-318; ss. 17, 23, 24, ch. 86-291; s. 60, ch. 91-137; s. 7, ch. 91-156; s. 94, ch. 91-224; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 261, ch. 97-103; s. 56, ch. 2000-318.

Arrestable Offenses under F.S. 466.026

M = misdemeanor · F = felony · degree: F=1st S=2nd T=3rd
§466.026(1a)HEALTH-SAFETYPRACTICE DENTISTRY/DENTAL HYGIENE W/O LICENSEF · 3rd
§466.026(1b)HEALTH-SAFETYUSE ATT TO USE SUSP REVOKED DENTAL HYGIENE LICF · 3rd
§466.026(1c)HEALTH-SAFETYEMPLOY PERSON DENTAL DUTIES OUTSIDE LIC SCOPEF · 3rd
§466.026(1d)PASS FORGEDEVIDENCE TO OBTAIN DENTAL HYGIENIST LICENSEF · 3rd
§466.026(1d)FRAUD-FALSE STATEMENTGIVE FALSE EVID TO OBT DENTAL HYGIENIST LICF · 3rd
§466.026(1e)FRAUDSELL OR BUY DIPLOMA OR LIC OF DENTAL HYGIENISTF · 3rd
§466.026(2a)FRAUD-IMPERSONUSE TITLE DENTIST DDS DMD WITHOUT LICENSEM · 1st
§466.026(2b)FRAUD-IMPERSONUSE TITLE DENTAL HYGIENIST RDH WITHOUT LICENSEM · 1st
§466.026(2c)FRAUD-IMPERSONPRESENT DENTAL HYGIENIST LICENSE OF ANOTHERM · 1st
§466.026(2d)PUBLIC ORDER CRIMESCONCEAL INFORMATION DENTAL HYGIENIST LICENSINGM · 1st
§466.026(2e)HEALTH-SAFETYPERFORM DENTAL ASSIST SRVC OUTSIDE LIC OFFICEM · 1st

Cases Citing F.S. 466.026

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Berger v. Dept. of Prof. Reg.. Dentistry, 653 So. 2d 479 (Fla. 3d DCA 1995).

Published | Florida 3rd District Court of Appeal | 1995 WL 170331

...ncy filed an administrative proceeding against Berger, charging him with the unauthorized practice of dentistry. The basis of the agency's complaint was Berger's use of the designation "D.D.S." following his name, which, the agency alleged, violated section 466.026(2)(a), Florida Statutes (1991)....
...ant rather than his ability to diagnose, treat, prescribe, or operate for any disease, pain, deformity, deficiency, injury or physical condition of the teeth, jaws, or oral-maxillofacial region." The hearing officer concluded as a matter of law that section 466.026(2)(a) does not impose a total ban on the use of the letters "D.D.S.," which indicate that a person has received an academic degree in dentistry....
...In sum, we reverse the agency's Final Order and remand with directions to enter an order consistent with the Recommended Order of the Hearing Officer. NOTES [1] Berger's license to practice dentistry in the State of New York was revoked after twenty-seven years of dental practice. [2] Section 466.026(2)(a) prohibits the use of "the letters `D.D.S.' or any other words, letters, title, or descriptive matter which in any way represents a person as being able to diagnose, treat, prescribe, or operate for any disease, pain, deformity,...

This Florida statute resource is curated by an Orange Park personal injury and workers' comp lawyer, a Jacksonville, Florida personal injury and workers' compensation attorney (Florida Bar No. 39104). For legal consultation, call 904-383-7448.