In response to a legislative directive, a study was conducted of dental education in Florida, the report of which constitutes part of the Comprehensive Health Professions Education Plan for the state. The study encompassed dental, dental hygiene and dental assisting education, with information provided on professional and educational aspects of the fields and particular attention given to manpower supply and demand issues. Twenty-two recommendations resulting from the study (relating to manpower, curricula, licensure, articulation and minority participation) have been endorsed. A major conclusion of the study is that no enrollment expansion is currently warranted in the state's dental education program (at the University of Florida), given favorable supply and demand projections for the state. The study is reported as follows: (1) executive summary (including the background of the study and the 22 recommendations); (2) dental education; (3) dental hygiene; (4) dental assisting; and (5) issues and recommendations (dental manpower, curricula, licensure and certification, articulation, and minority participation). For each of the three areas of dentistry, the profession, licensure, employment sites, education and manpower are discussed, including enrollments and manpower projections. Appendices list the accredited and state-approved dental hygiene programs in Florida; institutions accredited to teach dental assisting; and institutions approved to offer expanded functions and radiography course. A sries of 28 tables and five figures provide the data and projections developed by the study. (KM)