Section 4715.431 | Scope of permit.
(A) If all of the conditions in division (B) of this section are met, an authorizing dentist may do either of the following under a teledentistry permit without examining a patient in person:
(1) Authorize a dental hygienist or expanded function dental auxiliary to perform services as set forth in division (E) or (F) of this section, as applicable, at a location where no dentist is physically present;
(2) Prescribe a drug that is not a controlled substance for a patient who is at a location where no dentist is physically present.
(B) The conditions that must be met under division (A) of this section are the following:
(1) The authorizing dentist must prepare a written authorization that includes all of the following:
(a) The authorizing dentist's name and permit number;
(b) The name of the dental hygienist or expanded function dental auxiliary;
(c) The patient's name;
(d) The name and address of the location where the services are to be provided;
(e) The date of the authorization;
(f) A statement signed by the dental hygienist or expanded function dental auxiliary agreeing to comply with the written protocols or written standing orders the authorizing dentist establishes, including those for dealing with emergencies;
(g) Any other information the dentist considers appropriate.
(2) Before any dental services are provided all of the following must occur:
(a) The patient is notified that an authorizing dentist will perform a clinical evaluation through teledentistry.
(b) The patient is given an explanation of alternatives to, and the capabilities and limitations of, teledentistry.
(c)(i) Subject to division (B)(2)(c)(ii) of this section, the patient consents to the provision of services through teledentistry and the consent is documented in the patient's record.
(ii) If the services to be provided are the placement of interim therapeutic restorations or the application of silver diamine fluoride, the requirements for informed consent in rules adopted under division (C) of section 4715.436 of the Revised Code have been met.
(3) The authorizing dentist establishes the patient's identity and physical location through synchronous, real-time communication.
(4) The authorizing dentist provides dental services through teledentistry only as is appropriate for the patient and in accordance with appropriate standards of care.
(5) The authorizing dentist establishes a diagnosis and treatment plan and documents it in the patient's record.
(6) The authorizing dentist specifies the services the dental hygienist or expanded function dental auxiliary is authorized to provide to the patient.
(7) The dental hygienist or expanded function dental auxiliary is employed by, or under contract with, one of the following:
(a) The authorizing dentist;
(b) A dentist who is any of the following:
(i) The authorizing dentist's employer;
(ii) A shareholder in a professional association formed under Chapter 1785. of the Revised Code of which the authorizing dentist is a shareholder;
(iii) A member or manager of a limited liability company formed under Chapter 1705. of the Revised Code of which the authorizing dentist is a member or manager;
(iv) A shareholder in a corporation formed under division (B) of section 1701.03 of the Revised Code of which the authorizing dentist is a shareholder;
(v) A partner or employee of a partnership, formed under Chapter 1775. of the Revised Code, of which the authorizing dentist is a partner or employee;
(vi) A partner or employee of a limited liability partnership, formed under Chapter 1775. of the Revised Code, of which the authorizing dentist is a partner or employee.
(C) A dentist retains responsibility for ensuring the safety and quality of services provided to patients through teledentistry. Services delivered through teledentistry must be consistent with in-person services. Persons involved with providing services through teledentistry must abide by laws addressing the privacy and security of the patient's dental and medical information.
(D) An authorizing dentist may not have more than a total of three dental hygienists and expanded dental function auxiliaries working under the dentist's authorization pursuant to this section at any time.
(E)(1) If authorized to do so by an authorizing dentist in accordance with this section, a dental hygienist may provide dental hygiene services at a location where no dentist is physically present if all of the following requirements are met:
(a) The dental hygienist has at least one year and a minimum of one thousand five hundred hours of experience in the practice of dental hygiene.
(b) The dental hygienist has completed a course described in division (C)(2) of section 4715.22 of the Revised Code on the identification and prevention of potential medical emergencies.
(c) The authorizing dentist has evaluated the dental hygienist's skills.
(d) The dental hygienist complies with written protocols or written standing orders established by the authorizing dentist, including written protocols established for emergencies.
(2) If authorized to do so by an authorizing dentist in accordance with this section, a dental hygienist may place interim therapeutic restorations when a dentist is not physically present at the location where the dental hygienist is practicing if the requirements of division (E)(1) of this section are met and the dental hygienist has successfully completed a state dental board-approved course in the proper placement of interim therapeutic restorations.
(3) If authorized to do so by an authorizing dentist in accordance with this section, a dental hygienist may apply silver diamine fluoride when a dentist is not physically present at the location where the dental hygienist is practicing if the requirements of division (E)(1) of this section are met and the dental hygienist has successfully completed a state dental board-approved course in the application of silver diamine fluoride.
(F)(1) If authorized to do so by an authorizing dentist in accordance with this section, an expanded function dental auxiliary may provide the services listed in divisions (A)(2) to (10) of section 4715.64 of the Revised Code, and any additional procedures authorized pursuant to division (A)(11) of that section, when a dentist is not physically present at the location where the expanded function dental auxiliary is practicing if all of the following requirements are met:
(a) The expanded function dental auxiliary has at least one year and a minimum of one thousand five hundred hours of experience practicing as an expanded function dental auxiliary.
(b) The expanded function dental auxiliary has completed a course described in division (C)(2) of section 4715.64 of the Revised Code on the identification and prevention of potential medical emergencies.
(c) The authorizing dentist has evaluated the expanded function dental auxiliary's skills.
(d) The expanded function dental auxiliary complies with written protocols or written standing orders established by the authorizing dentist, including written protocols for emergencies.
(2) If authorized to do so by an authorizing dentist in accordance with this section, an expanded function dental auxiliary who meets the requirements of division (F)(1) of this section and has successfully completed a state dental board-approved course in the proper placement of interim therapeutic restorations may place interim therapeutic restorations when a dentist is not physically present at the location where the expanded function dental auxiliary is practicing.
(3) If authorized to do so by an authorizing dentist in accordance with this section, an expanded function dental auxiliary who meets the requirements of division (F)(1) of this section and has successfully completed a state dental board-approved course in the application of silver diamine fluoride may apply silver diamine fluoride when a dentist is not physically present at the location where the expanded function dental auxiliary is practicing.
(4) If authorized to do so by an authorizing dentist in accordance with this section, an expanded function dental auxiliary who meets the requirements of division (F)(1) of this section and holds a current, valid dental x-ray machine operator certificate issued by the board pursuant to section 4715.53 of the Revised Code may perform, for the purpose of contributing to the provision of dental care to a dental patient, standard, diagnostic radiologic procedures when a dentist is not physically present at the location where the expanded function dental auxiliary is practicing.
Available Versions of this Section
- March 20, 2019 – Enacted by Senate Bill 259 - 132nd General Assembly [ View March 20, 2019 Version ]
- April 12, 2021 – Amended by Senate Bill 276 - 133rd General Assembly [ View April 12, 2021 Version ]