2
3
4
5
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill addresses the use of teledentistry to provide dental care.
10 Highlighted Provisions:
11 This bill:
12 ▸ defines terms;
13 ▸ provides for the use of teledentistry within the state by dental professionals licensed
14 within the state;
15 ▸ provides that the standard of dental care for teledentistry is the same for in-person
16 dental care;
17 ▸ establishes the dental services a dental professional may provide using teledentistry;
18 ▸ directs the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing to make rules
19 regarding teledentistry; and
20 ▸ makes technical and conforming changes.
21 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
22 None
23 Other Special Clauses:
24 None
25 Utah Code Sections Affected:
26 AMENDS:
27 58-69-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2015, Chapter 343
28 58-69-301, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2015, Chapter 320
29 58-69-802, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1996, Chapter 116
30 ENACTS:
31 58-69-807, Utah Code Annotated 1953
32
33 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
34 Section 1. Section 58-69-102 is amended to read:
35 58-69-102. Definitions.
36 In addition to the definitions in Section 58-1-102, as used in this chapter:
37 (1) "Asynchronous technology" means store-and-forward technology that allows a
38 licensed dental professional to transmit a patient's health information to a dentist for viewing at
39 a later time.
40 [
41 Section 58-69-201.
42 [
43 indirectly, supervised acts and duties as defined by division rule made in collaboration with the
44 board.
45 [
46 face-to-face communication with the person being supervised when and where professional
47 services are being provided.
48 [
49 consultation regarding work the supervising dentist has authorized, without regard as to
50 whether the supervising dentist is located on the same premises as the person being supervised.
51 [
52 facility in which the person being supervised is providing services and is available to provide
53 immediate face-to-face communication with the person being supervised.
54 [
55 (a) under the general supervision of a dentist, or under a written agreement with a
56 dentist licensed under this chapter, as provided in Section 58-69-801, to:
57 (i) perform preliminary clinical examination of human teeth and gums;
58 (ii) make preliminary instrumental examination of patients' teeth;
59 (iii) expose dental radiographs;
60 (iv) assess dental hygiene status and collaborate with the supervising dentist regarding
61 a dental hygiene treatment plan for a patient;
62 (v) remove deposits, accumulations, calculus, and concretions from the surfaces of
63 human teeth;
64 (vi) remove toxins and debris from subgingival surfaces;
65 (vii) provide dental hygiene care in accordance with a dentist's treatment plan for a
66 patient;
67 (viii) take impressions of teeth or jaws except for impressions or registrations to supply
68 artificial teeth as substitutes for natural teeth; or
69 (ix) engage in other practices of dental hygiene as defined by division rule;
70 (b) under the indirect supervision of a dentist to administer in accordance with
71 standards and ethics of the professions of dentistry and dental hygiene:
72 (i) local anesthesia; or
73 (ii) nitrous oxide analgesia;
74 (c) to represent oneself by any title, degree, or in any other way as being a dental
75 hygienist; or
76 (d) to direct a dental assistant when the supervising dentist is not on the premises.
77 [
78 (a) to offer, undertake, or represent that a person will undertake by any means or
79 method, including teledentistry, to:
80 (i) examine, evaluate, diagnose, treat, operate, or prescribe therapy for any disease,
81 pain, injury, deficiency, deformity, or any other condition of the human teeth, alveolar process,
82 gums, jaws, or adjacent hard and soft tissues and structures in the maxillofacial region;
83 (ii) take an appropriate history and physical consistent with the level of professional
84 service to be provided and the available resources in the facility in which the service is to be
85 provided;
86 (iii) take impressions or registrations;
87 (iv) supply artificial teeth as substitutes for natural teeth;
88 (v) remove deposits, accumulations, calculus, and concretions from the surfaces of
89 teeth; and
90 (vi) correct or attempt to correct malposition of teeth;
91 (b) to administer anesthetics necessary or proper in the practice of dentistry only as
92 allowed by an anesthesia permit obtained from the division;
93 (c) to administer and prescribe drugs related to and appropriate in the practice of
94 dentistry;
95 (d) to supervise the practice of a dental hygienist or dental assistant as established by
96 division rule made in collaboration with the board; or
97 (e) to represent oneself by any title, degree, or in any other way that one is a dentist.
98 [
99 (a) an individual's residence, if the individual is unable to leave the residence;
100 (b) a school, as part of a school-based program;
101 (c) a nursing home;
102 (d) an assisted living or long-term care facility;
103 (e) a community health center;
104 (f) a federally-qualified health center; or
105 (g) a mobile dental health program that employs a dentist who is licensed under this
106 chapter.
107 [
108 supervision of a dental hygienist or unlicensed individual in accordance with the provisions of
109 this chapter.
110 (11) "Synchronous technology" means two-way audiovisual technology that allows a
111 licensed dental professional to see and communicate in real time with a patient who is located
112 in a different physical location.
113 (12) "Teledentistry" means the practice of dentistry using synchronous or asynchronous
114 technology.
115 [
116 58-1-501 and 58-69-501.
117 [
118 Sections 58-1-501 and 58-69-502 and as may be further defined by rule.
119 Section 2. Section 58-69-301 is amended to read:
120 58-69-301. License required -- License classifications -- Anesthesia and analgesia
121 permits.
122 (1) A license is required to engage in the practice of dentistry, including teledentistry,
123 or dental hygiene except as specifically provided in Section 58-69-306 or 58-1-307.
124 (2) The division shall issue to individuals qualified under the provisions of this chapter
125 a license in the classification:
126 (a) dentist; or
127 (b) dental hygienist.
128 (3) A permit is required to engage in administration of anesthesia or analgesia in the
129 practice of dentistry or dental hygiene.
130 (4) The division in collaboration with the board shall establish by rule:
131 (a) the classifications of anesthesia and analgesia permits and the scope of practice
132 permitted under each permit; and
133 (b) the qualifications for each classification of anesthesia and analgesia permit.
134 Section 3. Section 58-69-802 is amended to read:
135 58-69-802. Practice within limits of law, education, training, experience, and
136 competency -- Standard of care.
137 (1) Each individual licensed under this chapter shall confine his practice to those acts
138 or practices:
139 [
140 [
141 (2) (a) The standard of dental care a licensed dental professional provides through
142 teledentistry is the same as the standard of dental care a licensed dental professional provides in
143 a traditional physical setting.
144 (b) (i) A treating dentist may use teledentistry to collaborate with a dental hygienist
145 within the relevant applicable scopes of practice and under the appropriate level of dentist
146 supervision, in accordance with existing supervision laws.
147 (ii) A dental hygienist, other dental auxiliary, or any other teledentistry provider may
148 not carry out any duties through teledentistry that require the in-person supervision of a dentist
149 licensed under this chapter.
150 (c) A dentist may not conduct a dental examination using teledentistry if the standard
151 of care necessitates a traditional physical dental examination.
152 Section 4. Section 58-69-807 is enacted to read:
153 58-69-807. Use of teledentistry -- Informed consent -- Rulemaking.
154 (1) A dentist may provide dental services using teledentistry, including the following:
155 (a) collaborating with a licensed dental professional in the completion of the following
156 at a public health setting, generally with a written collaborative agreement, directly, or
157 indirectly, in accordance with this chapter:
158 (i) gathering diagnostic information to be used by the dentist at a remote location to
159 form a tentative basic treatment plan and provide appropriate preventive or urgent
160 prescriptions;
161 (ii) perform preventive dental procedures;
162 (iii) provide oral health education; and
163 (iv) perform any palliative or interim treatment or caries arresting treatment outlined in
164 the dentist's treatment plan and authorized by the dentist, in accordance with this chapter and
165 rules made in accordance with this chapter; and
166 (b) at a remote location, using records and diagnostic information that a dental
167 hygienist provides to form a tentative treatment plan for basic dental procedures.
168 (2) A licensed dental professional or any entity employing a licensed dental
169 professional may not require a patient to sign an agreement that limits the patient's ability to
170 file a complaint with the division.
171 (3) When a licensed dental professional uses teledentistry, the licensed dental
172 professional shall ensure informed consent covers the following additional information:
173 (a) a description of the types of dental care services provided through teledentistry,
174 including limitations on services;
175 (b) the name, contact information, licensure, credentials, and qualifications of all
176 dentists and dental hygienists involved in the patient's dental care; and
177 (c) precautions and protocols for technological failures or emergency situations.
178 (4) The division shall make rules, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah
179 Administrative Rulemaking Act, to establish requirements and parameters regarding
180 teledentistry to ensure the safe use of teledentistry, including additional provisions for:
181 (a) transparency, disclosure, and informed consent;
182 (b) standard of care;
183 (c) proper documentation;
184 (d) supervision and scope of practice;
185 (e) patient complaints; and
186 (f) protocols for referrals.