SETTING UP YOUR PRACTICE: Regulatory Information
Various local, state and federal agencies govern the dental profession and issue the licenses and permits practicing dentists need. Whether you’re beginning a practice, relocating or handling day-to-day compliance issues, you’ll need the following contact information.
Florida Board of Dentistry
4052 Bald Cypress Way, BIN# CO8
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3256
(850) 245-4474
www.doh-mqaservices.com
As part of the Department of Health’s Division of Medical Quality Assurance, the Board of Dentistry consists of seven dentists, two dental hygienists and two public members. It implements the laws and rules that affect the practice of dentistry; issues licenses and permits to practice dentistry; and issues licenses to provide dental-hygiene services to the public.
Florida Department of Health
052 Bald Cypress Way, BIN# AOO
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1701
(850) 245-4321
www.doh.state.fl.us
This department administers several state programs:
- Dental treatment or dental-care delivery
- Radiological health services/inspection
- Biomedical-waste disposal regulation
- Children’s medical services
- Infectious-disease control and education
- Health staff planning and distribution
Drug Enforcement Administration
Telephone inquiries only: (305) 994-4870
www.usdoj.gov/dea
The Drug Enforcement Administration provides the form licensees need to prescribe drugs. It also has information about DEA rules and regulations. The Florida Department of Health offers more information.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration/Infection Control
North Florida Inquiries: (904) 232-2895
Central Florida Inquiries: (813) 626-1177
South Florida Inquiries: (954) 424-0242
www.osha.gov
The American Dental Association can supply some OSHA information. OSHA has requirements for infection control; employee safety and training; and waste management and hazardous chemicals
Americans with Disabilities
U.S. Department of Justice
(800) 514-0301
www.ada.gov
Dentists must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act when dealing with patients and employees. The American Dental Association also has information about how to design dental offices so they are accessible to patients and/or employees who have disabilities.
Internal Revenue Service
Telephone inquiries only: (800) 829-1040
www.irs.gov
The Internal Revenue Service has the form you need to apply for a federal tax identification number. All businesses that have employees must have a federal tax ID number. The IRS also provides this information:
- Circular E Employers Tax Guide
- W-2 forms
- W-4 forms
- 941 quarterly federal tax return
- 8109 tax deposit coupons
- Business start-up kit
X-ray Registration
Florida Department of Health
(904) 359-6363
www.doh.state.fl.us
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) provides a form to register X-ray machines. Dentists are required to register each X-ray machine in their offices. DOH also provides information about state requirements for use of related equipment, such as lead aprons and film badges.
Medical Waste Disposal
Florida Department of Health
(850) 245-4277
Department of Environmental Protection
2600 Blairstone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399
(850) 245-8707
www.dep.state.fl.us
The Florida Department of Health and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection can provide information about state requirements for disposing of dental-office waste.
City Hall
Dentists should contact their local city halls and/or county clerks of the court for information about securing occupational and business licenses before starting their practices.
Medicaid
Agency for Health Care Administration
2727 Mahan Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32308
(888) 419-3456
www.fdhc.state.fl.us
Medicaid Provider Enrollment
(800) 377-8216
http://floridamedicaid.acs-inc.com
Dentists who want to enroll in the Florida Medicaid Provider Program should call for applications, agreements, manuals and provider numbers.
Taxes
Personal Property Taxes
County tax assessors can provide personal property tax worksheets you may use to list the tangible assets, such as equipment and furnishings, in your dental practice.
Employee Taxes
Dentists are required to withhold federal, Medicare, Social Security and federal unemployment taxes from each employee’s paycheck. Dentists who are self-employed may want to consult an accountant.
Unemployment
For unemployment guidelines, contact the Employer Taxpayer Information Services at (800) 482-8293, or www.state.fl.us/dor/.
Workers’ Compensation
The Department of Insurance administers Florida’s workers’ compensation program. Contact the Division of Workers’ Compensation at (850) 413-1601, or www.fldfs.com/wc.
