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Committee advances teledentistry bill to set practice definitions and patient safeguards
Summary
Senate Bill 453 would establish a teledentistry framework in state law—defining terms, requiring consent and bona fide provider‑patient relationships, and prohibiting treatment based solely on online questionnaires. The committee voted to report the bill favorably.
The committee advanced Senate Bill 453, which lays out a state framework for teledentistry, including definitions, patient protections, consent requirements and practice limits. Representative Sessions said the bill clarifies current industry practice (for example, orthodontic remote scans) and adds safeguards such as prohibiting treatment based only on an online questionnaire and requiring a bona fide provider–patient relationship in most cases.
Members asked how teledentistry is practiced in real life, whether codifying standards would raise costs or impede innovation, and whether the bill adequately protects patient safety. Representative Sessions argued that the bill sets consistent language and safeguards to keep bad actors out while preserving access provided by responsible providers. A mix of anecdotes and technical questions followed; the committee ultimately voted to report SB453 favorably.
