HB 567: Professions and businesses; authorize and regulate teledentistry by licensed dentists

Georgia law previously had no specific framework for teledentistry, meaning dentists lacked clear rules for treating patients remotely. This bill adds a new section to the state's dental licensing law (O.C.G.A. Title 43) that defines teledentistry as live video visits combined with transmitted photos, scans, or records, done under a dentist's general supervision. Dentists who want to offer teledentistry must notify the state dental board, keep a physical Georgia office, and set up a referral relationship with an in-state dentist who can see patients in person when needed. The bill spells out what an authorizing dentist can and cannot do remotely: they may prescribe non-controlled medications, order digital scans, give second opinions, and supervise up to four dental hygienists, but cannot do orthodontics or irreversible procedures without an in-person exam first. It also requires informed consent, patient record-keeping rules, and professional liability insurance for hygienists. Separately, the bill updates Georgia's insurance code (O.C.G.A. § 33-24-59.15) so that dental insurance plans issued after January 1, 2026 can cover teledentistry and cannot exclude it just because it isn't in-person. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.

• Creates a new Georgia Code section (O.C.G.A. § 43-11-54) authorizing licensed dentists to practice teledentistry using live video plus transmitted records, photos, or scans.
• Requires dentists offering teledentistry to notify the state dental board, maintain a physical Georgia office, and establish a referral relationship with an in-state dentist for in-person care.
• Limits what can be done remotely: dentists can prescribe non-controlled medications, authorize digital scans, and supervise up to four dental hygienists at a time, but cannot do orthodontics or irreversible treatments without an in-person exam.
• Requires informed consent, written authorization documents, and record-keeping rules, and mandates hygienists have at least two years of experience and liability insurance.
• Bans dentists and hygienists from waiving liability in advance or discouraging patients from filing complaints about teledentistry care.
• Amends Georgia's insurance code (O.C.G.A. § 33-24-59.15) to let dental insurance plans issued after January 1, 2026 cover teledentistry and bars insurers from excluding coverage solely because care was delivered remotely.

Licensed dentists and dental hygienists in Georgia, patients seeking remote dental consultations, referred dentists who provide in-person follow-up care, the state dental board that must write implementing rules, and dental insurers and care management organizations that write coverage policies.

Patients in Georgia, especially those with limited access to in-person dental offices, could get remote evaluations, prescriptions, and consultations, while still being required to see a dentist in person for irreversible procedures. Dental insurers would gain the option to pay for these remote visits starting in 2026.

• Section 1 adds O.C.G.A. § 43-11-54, defining teledentistry as synchronous video communication combined with store-and-forward technology like scans and X-rays.
• Section 1 requires dentists to notify the board of intent to practice teledentistry and to have a referral relationship with an in-state dentist for in-person treatment.
• Section 1 limits authorizing dentists to supervising up to four dental hygienists at once and requires hygienists to have two years of experience and liability insurance.
• Section 1 requires an in-person exam before irreversible procedures and annual in-person visits encouraged for ongoing patients.
• Section 1 prohibits waiving liability in advance or blocking patients from filing complaints about teledentistry care.
• Section 2 amends O.C.G.A. § 33-24-59.15 to allow dental insurance plans issued or renewed after January 1, 2026 to cover teledentistry services.
• Section 2 bars dental insurers from excluding a service from coverage solely because it was delivered via teledentistry or forcing patients to use teledentistry instead of in-person care.
• Section 3 sets the effective date of the entire Act as January 1, 2026.

1. 2026-01-01Effective Date
2. 2025-05-09Act 79
3. 2025-05-09House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2025-04-10House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2025-04-04House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub (House)
6. 2025-04-02Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)
7. 2025-04-02Senate Third Read (Senate)
8. 2025-03-25Senate Read Second Time (Senate)

• Katie Dempsey (R, HD-13)Primary sponsor
• Matt Hatchett (R, HD-155)
• Lee Hawkins (R, HD-27)
• Debbie Buckner (D, HD-137)
• Darlene Taylor (R, HD-173)
• Shawn Still (R, SD-48)

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 6, 2025

   174 yea, 2 nay (1 not voting, 3 excused)

   PASSAGE: House Vote #253

2. PassedSenate voteApril 2, 2025

   52 yea, 1 nay (2 not voting, 1 excused)

   PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE: Senate Vote #408

3. PassedHouse voteApril 4, 2025

   165 yea, 2 nay (1 not voting, 12 excused)

   Agree to Senate Substitute: House Vote #416

• teledentistry
• dental licensing
• dental insurance coverage
• healthcare regulation
• dental hygienists