Teledentistry is the delivery of dentistry between a patient and a licensed dentist through the use of telehealth systems and electronic technologies or media, including interactive, two-way audio or video.

To practice teledentistry, the dentist must have a bona-fide dentist-patient relationship, meaning (i) the patient’s history has been taken, (ii) an examination has been performed, either physically with instrumentation and diagnostic equipment or via real-time interactive two-way communication technology, (iii) information has been provided to the patient about the services to be performed, and (iv) additional diagnostic tests or referrals have been initiated as needed.  The examination in clause (ii) need not be performed if the patient has been examined by a licensed dentist in the previous six months and such records have been reviewed by the dentist providing teledentistry.

The dentist implementing teledentistry must obtain and document informed consent, maintain privacy of health information, document all dental services provided to the patient, have procedures in place for in-person services or referral of patients requiring services that cannot be performed via teledentistry, and have appropriate encryption for the electronic transfer of health information.

Dental services delivered through teledentistry shall rise to the same standard of care and comply with the same requirements in law and regulation as does practice in a traditional in-person setting. The standard of care requires informed consent, which consists of advising a patient of the risks, benefits, and alternatives of care. A consent form is intended to evidence the informed consent communication and to further educate the patient.

Consent Form

The following is a template to provide notice and obtain informed consent for the provision of teledentistry. Have the patient, patient’s parent or legal guardian fill out and sign the form prior to rendering teledentistry services.  Provide a copy to the patient.

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