North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper recently signed into law Senate Bill 146, establishing standards for teledentistry in the state, the Triangle Business Journal reported July 27.
The law authorizes state-licensed dentists and dental hygienists to use teledentistry, the latter of which can practice without the presence of a dentist. The law also allows registered hygienists to administer local anesthetic to patients.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Jim Perry, R-Lenoir, received widespread support from local dentists and organizations, and was passed through the state's Senate and House earlier this month.