SECTION 108.16. Teledentistry

(a) Purpose. Pursuant to Texas Occupations Code Chapter 111, and Texas Occupations Code §254.001(a), the Board is authorized to adopt rules relating to the practice of dentistry, including teledentistry dental services. This section establishes the standards of practice for teledentistry.

(b) Definition. "Teledentistry dental service" is defined in Texas Occupations Code §111.001(2-a).

(c) Prevention of Fraud and Abuse. Dentists who utilize teledentistry dental services must adopt protocols to prevent fraud and abuse through the use of teledentistry dental services.

(d) Complaints to the Board. Dentists who utilize teledentistry dental services must provide notice of how patients may file a complaint with the Board. Content and method of the notice must contain the same information as set out in §108.3(a)(2)-(3) of this title (relating to Consumer Information).

(e) Practice of Teledentistry.

(1) A dentist, dental hygienist, or dental assistant who delivers teledentistry services to a patient located in Texas must hold an active Texas license or registration issued by the Board.

(2) A dental health professional providing a dental health care service or procedure as a teledentistry dental service:

(A) is subject to the same standard of care that would apply to the provision of the same dental health care service or procedure in an in-person setting as established in §108.7 of this title (relating to Minimum Standard of Care, General);

(B) must establish a practitioner-patient relationship; and

(C) must maintain complete and accurate dental records as set out in §108.8 of this title (relating to Records of the Dentist).

(3) A dentist may simultaneously delegate to and supervise through a teledentistry dental service not more than five health professionals who are not dentists.

(4) Adequate measures must be implemented to ensure that patient communications, recordings and records are protected consistent with federal and state privacy laws.

(5) Any individual may provide any photography or digital imaging to a Texas licensed dentist or Texas licensed dental hygienist for the sole and limited purpose of screening, assessment, or examination.

(f) Informed Consent. In addition to the informed consent requirements in §108.7 of this title, and §108.8 of this title, informed consent must include the following:

(1) the delegating dentist's name, Texas license number, credentials, qualifications, contact information, and practice location involved in the patient's care. Additionally, the name, Texas license number, credentials, and qualifications of all dental hygienists and dental assistants involved in the patient's care. This information must be publicly displayed and provided in writing to the patient; and

(2) a dentist who delegates a teledentistry dental service must ensure that the informed consent of the patient includes disclosure to the patient that the dentist delegated the service.

(g) Issuance of Prescriptions.

(1) The validity of a prescription issued as a result of a teledentistry dental service is determined by the same standards that would apply to the issuance of the prescription in an in-person setting.

(2) This rule does not limit the professional judgment, discretion or decision-making authority of a licensed practitioner. A licensed practitioner is expected to meet the standard of care and demonstrate professional practice standards and judgment, consistent with all applicable statutes and rules when issuing, dispensing, delivering, or administering a prescription medication as a result of a teledentistry dental service.

(3) A valid prescription must be:

(A) issued for a legitimate dental purpose by a practitioner as part of patient-practitioner relationship as set out in Texas Occupations Code §111.005; and

(B) meet all other applicable laws and rules before prescribing, dispensing, delivering or administering a dangerous drug or controlled substance.

(4) Any prescription drug orders issued as the result of a teledentistry dental service, are subject to all regulations, limitations, and prohibitions set out in the federal and Texas Controlled Substances Act, Texas Dangerous Drug Act and any other applicable federal and state law.

(h) Limitation on Certain Prescriptions.

(1) In this subsection, the following definitions apply:

(A) "Controlled substance", "opiate", and "prescribe" have the meanings assigned by Texas Health and Safety Code §481.002.

(B) "National holiday" means a day described by Texas Government Code §662.003(a).

(2) When prescribing a controlled substance to a patient as a teledentistry dental service, a dentist must not prescribe more than is necessary to supply a patient for:

(A) if the prescription is for an opiate, a two-day period; or

(B) if the prescription is for a controlled substance other than an opiate, a five-day period.

(3) For each day in a period described by paragraph (2) of this subsection that is a Saturday, Sunday, or national holiday, the period is extended to include the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or national holiday.

Source Note: The provisions of this §108.16 adopted to be effective June 2, 2022, 47 TexReg 3134