Which statement best describes ownership restrictions for Florida dental practices?

• A. Ownership is open to any licensed professional
• B. Ownership can be held by foreign entities with a dentist partner
• C. Ownership is restricted to nonprofits
• D. Ownership is generally restricted to licensed dentists, typically through professional corporations

Answer: (D)

In Florida, who may own a dental practice is governed by the corporate practice of dentistry principle, which keeps control of professional dental decisions in the hands of licensed dentists. Because of this, ownership is generally restricted to licensed dentists, and most dental practices are organized as professional corporations owned by those dentists. This structure protects patient care by ensuring that clinical leadership and accountability stay with qualified practitioners, while still allowing the business to run under a formal corporate framework.

Other options don’t fit because non-dentists cannot own the practice, non-dentist or nonprofit ownership would undermine professional control, and while a dentist can partner with others, the ownership itself must be held by licensed dentists within a professional corporation.