Is Teledentistry Allowed in All the States of America?

In most states, they allow teledentistry services. But every state has laws and regulations regarding the services you can provide to your patients. The laws and regulations differ by state and they are also constantly evolving. Hence, as a dentist, it’s vital to be aware of those laws because they dictate the services that will be available to your patients. 

Understanding the Teledentistry Laws by State 

Teledentistry is widely accepted in the US. Some states have extensive rules regarding the industry. However, other states have little to no legislation when it comes to these services. In certain states, some laws overlap with existing dental laws. As a result, it limits the adoption of useful services. 

One example is in Texas. The state limits the teledentistry services that dentists can offer. It’s important to note that it doesn’t ban the said industry. However, it requires dentists to document the findings of visual examination before they can provide care. But these requirements can vary across the country. 

Even though there is an overlapping, it is essential to ensure that dentists will offer excellent quality teledentistry care. It means that a high level of attention that you offer in-person is the same attention you provide to your teledentistry patients. 

States with No Teledentistry Regulations

As mentioned earlier, a handful of states have extensive laws regarding teledentistry. Others, however, have little to no regulations. The regulations dictate who can provide care and what services they can offer. Furthermore, the laws dictate insurance and services that must be covered. 

In Utah, for instance, dental hygienists can treat patients even without an on-site dentist. But in Illinois, dental hygienists can only treat patients who can’t undergo an in-office treatment because of an illness. 

Those states with no or little regulation, the laws in teledentistry follow traditional dental laws to dictate what kind of teledentistry services are available to patients. But these conventional dental laws do vary by state. 

How can Dentists Use Teledentistry? 

Teledentistry has its pros and cons. Dentists can assess if the patient requires an in-person appointment. It’s convenient and a time-saver. If patients require pain relief, dentists can prescribe medicine, thereby preventing them from going to the ER. Furthermore, dentists can recommend treatment or provide oral health hygiene advice virtually. Thus, patients don’t need to waste their time going to their dentist’s office just for it. 

Benefit Everyone 

Everyone can benefit from teledentistry. Patients don’t have to travel to the dentist’s office just to obtain a prescription or organ hygiene advice. It’s a huge convenience for both patients and dentists. With the ongoing pandemic, it makes sense to expand your practice into more virtual and safe appointments. 

Expanding Your Dental Practice

Talk to us to know more about how you can provide your patients with teledentistry services. Call us here: (888) 574-7754.