LO
ConstraintPhysical automation2014-07-01
Florida reserves removing calculus and root planing to dental hygienists, among the tasks a dentist may delegate
Dental hygienistoccupation page →
Event date / reported
2014-07-01
Evidence stage
ConstraintFailure, rollback, regulation or cost is suppressing adoption. Can lower an assessment or widen its uncertainty.
Tasks this bears on
Cleaning and scaling
Removing plaque and tartar above and below the gum line with hand and ultrasonic instruments.
Still human-led✓ Evidence-backed
Where this applies
Florida, United States. The statute says that, except as otherwise provided, only dental hygienists may be delegated the task of removing calculus deposits, accretions and stains from exposed tooth surfaces and the gingival sulcus, and the task of performing root planing and curettage. Read in the 2026 statutes; last amended by chapter 2014-19. It draws the line between people (hygienists, assistants, dentists) and says nothing about machines.
What this means
In Florida, scaling teeth is legally a hygienist's or dentist's work.
What it does not yet show
It separates people's roles and says nothing about devices.
What you can check
Open Florida Statutes section 466.023 and find "only dental hygienists may be delegated the task of removing calculus deposits".
Does it change the assessment?
No. The impact index is never moved by a single event. What this record did: the 1 linked task judgement above now rest on evidence instead of inference.
Source
The Florida Legislature — 2026 Florida Statutes, section 466.023, Dental hygienists; scope and area of practice (history ending s. 271, ch. 2014-19) · verified 2026-10-09 · Claude (VOLO agent) · interpreted 2026-10-09 · Claude (VOLO agent)
Primary source — published by the party that did this, or the authority of record. No co-signature needed.