ORTHO Act

This bill would require the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to issue rules within 180 days requiring dentists to examine patients in person before providing dental services or medical devices through teledentistry, with some exceptions. A patient relationship could begin through teledentistry only for emergency care, as part of a public health program, or for a dentist's initial diagnosis of crooked teeth and need for an orthodontic appliance. That orthodontic diagnosis would have to be confirmed through an in-person visit and review of X-ray records before the patient starts using the appliance. The FTC would enforce the rules as unfair or deceptive practices, and state attorneys general could sue for damages of at least $1,000 per violation, up to three times that amount for willful violations.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Brian Babin Republican sponsor
• 3 cosponsors