Ill. updates teledentistry law

In Illinois, a law expanding access to remote dental services, which allows patients to be seen via teledentistry under certain conditions, including treatment planning, has recently been signed into law.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed SB 2586 into law, amending the Illinois Dental Practice Act. The amended law changes the definitions of "informed consent," "patient of record," and "teledentistry," and gives the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation the authority to take disciplinary action against a clinician who violates the law.

The law limits teledentistry to patients of record. Under the law changes, the dentist providing telehealth services must provide the patient being treated with his or her name, direct phone number, and address of their brick-and-mortar practice.

Additionally, any patient who gets dental care via a supervision agreement by a dental hygienist doesn't need to receive a dental exam from a dentist before they can receive teledental services if the hygienist has a consultation with the dentist before providing services remotely, according to the law.