HB306 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul W. LeeRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to the practice of dentistry; to amend Sections 34-9-1, 34-9-3, 34-9-6, 34-9-13, 34-9-15.1, and 34-9-18, Code of Alabama 1975, and to add Sections 34-9-6.2 and 34-9-19.2 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to provide for the use of teledentistry orthodontia services in the state by licensed dentists; to provide certain requirements for advertisements featuring teledentistry; and to require the Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama to adopt rules relating to teledentistry.

Summary

HB306 would regulate teledentistry orthodontia in Alabama, requiring in-person visits, board oversight, and clear advertising disclosures to ensure safe, supervised remote dental care.

What This Bill Does

The bill creates a regulatory framework for licensed dentists to provide teledentistry orthodontia in Alabama under the Board of Dental Examiners, and directs the board to adopt detailed teledentistry rules. It requires patients to have an in-person visit at the start and annually during teledentistry treatment, and it sets standards of care that must match in-person care. It also requires clear disclosures in teledentistry ads, defines teledentistry and cross-state practice, and establishes patient rights around records, informed consent, and complaints. Additionally, it specifies what teledentistry can and cannot do, including supervision rules and mandatory in-person exams for certain orthodontic steps, with disciplinary provisions for violations.

Who It Affects

• Patients in Alabama receiving teledentistry orthodontia services, who must have initial and annual in-person visits, receive provider contact information, and be informed about treatment and emergency protocols.
• Licensed dentists, dental hygienists, and teledentistry providers (including out-of-state practitioners under cross-state rules), who must follow new standards, obtain board rules, provide disclosures, ensure informed consent, and may face disciplinary actions for violations.

Key Provisions

• 34-9-6.2: Teledentistry standard of care equals traditional in-person care; requires appropriate supervision and restricts certain duties to in-person oversight; allows remote collaboration with hygienists within defined scopes.
• 34-9-6.2: Licensed dentists may collaborate with licensed hygienists via teledentistry to gather diagnostics, provide preventive care, offer oral health education, and perform interim treatments under supervision; other teledentistry providers cannot perform duties that require in-person supervision.
• 34-9-6.2: For orthodontia, the treating dentist must perform an in-person physical exam and review radiographs before diagnosis/correction, with new imaging ordered as needed; patient must have timely follow-up and in-person care when necessary.
• 34-9-6.2: Patients receiving teledentistry must be given the treating dentist’s name, direct contact number, emergency contact, physical address, and state license number before and during treatment; improper referrals are allowed if properly managed.
• 34-9-19.2: Advertisements for teledentistry must include a prominent disclaimer stating that an in-person exam is recommended before treatment for certain listed services (impressions/digital scans, prosthetic fabrication/placement, chair-side adjustments, and correcting malformations).
• Boards and rules: The Board of Dental Examiners must adopt rules relating to teledentistry, including transparency, informed consent, standard of care, documentation, supervision, patient complaints, and referral protocols.
• Cross-state practice: Defines and regulates practice across state lines, including special-purpose licensing and restrictions on informal consultations; outlines conditions under which out-of-state dentists can provide teledentistry to Alabama patients.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.