(The Center Square) – Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday signed a bill into law formally ending a ban on teledentistry in Texas. The new law comes months after a lawsuit was filed by the Pacific Legal Foundation and after bipartisan calls for reform were made.
HB 2056, filed by Rep. Stephanie Klick, R-Fort Worth, and Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, takes effect Sept 1. Some sections of the Insurance Code amended by the bill, Sections 1455.004 and 1455.006, take effect Jan. 1, 2022.
The new law prevents the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners from banning teledentistry and brings teledentistry in line with other telemedicine practices. Abbott previously signed a bill into law expanding and making some telemedicine services permanent.
“This is great news for Texas citizens who will continue to have access to quality dental care from the comfort of their homes,” Joshua Polk, an attorney at Pacific Legal Foundation, said. The foundation represented teledentistry providers who challenged the Texas Board of Dental Examiners’ ban. more here
If it’s one thing I hate it’s watching dentists on television.
Here ya go – turn up the volume!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf1lJywmMY8
Just stick your smart phone in your mouth to give the teledentist in Asia a close-up of the abscessed tooth…
I’m picturing the old Three Stooges episode they did in 3-D with this loony oversized hypodermic needle wobbling in flight across the room.
How the hell are they going to do a root canal from the comfort of their own home?
Bill Murray and Steve Martin, Little Shop of Horrors. Oh to be a dentist!
https://youtu.be/XB7R0ZxNgC4
“…refer… to a brick-and-mortar”. I.e. “Yup, go to a dentist”.
This is ridiculous. An ENTIRE industry for this? How many times do people go to a dentist for absolutely nothing to be done. No X-rays, no cleanings, no poking around even a little, no cavities filled…
What a waste of money. Who is getting paid.
FYI – Harbor Freight has a digital inspection camera for $79….
Bubbles removed his abcessed tooth without having to watch a video.
Sign me up. Do I have to buy or rent a Robodrill.
Send me some anesthesia.
@MissInMi
“How the hell are they going to do a root canal from the comfort of their own home?”
That’s why every teledentistry session comes with instruction to keep your hammer and chisel handy. 😉
[KUNG FLU]
I’ve no problem with telemedicne per se but dentistry? So you use a PC to pay a DDS to tell you you need to go to the ER or visit dentist soon. You’re better off getting off your ass and visiting a dentist. What next telegyn?
See, that Dremel will come in handy!
Beyond showing images or video clips of the right ways to brush, floss, or gargle, how in the hell can someone provide dental care over the phone or an internet connection?