You can see a dentist from your phone in GA now. Here’s how

More than 20 counties in Georgia do not have dentists, and recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed many patients had to travel at least 20 miles to reach a dentist.

Georgia House Bill 567, which the legislature passed and the governor signed last year, is designed to expand dental care, especially in the rural parts of the state that don’t have access to dentists. It makes way for virtual dental visits and creates a permanent framework for telehealth dental care.

What care is available?

Insurance plans issued or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2026, may cover teledentistry and cannot deny a covered service just because it was delivered virtually.

While the services will be helpful to many, it cannot be used for orthodontics, delivering dental appliances or remotely supervising hygienists.

Services provided:

• Consultations
• Second opinions
• Emergency evaluations
• Treatment planning and monitoring
• Prescriptions for non-controlled medications
• Digital scans and X-rays reviewed.

How does teledentistry work?

Initial consultations for new patients can happen entirely via teledentistry, but virtual visits are mainly for screening, triage and treatment planning. It does not replace an in-person exam when the dentist needs to do a full clinical assessment or when treatment is irreversible or risky.

A common set-up is that the dentist does the virtual visit first, then refers the patient to a dental office or imaging site.

The appointment process:

• Create an account on the provider’s patient portal.
• Make an appointment online with a Georgia-licensed dentist.
• Have your patient details and insurance information ready.
• Explain your symptom carefully and with detail.

Before the visit:

• A dentist will review your medical and dental history.
• The office will verify your location.

During the visit:

• You’ll use the provided link or phone number to join the online meeting.
• A dentist will review your symptoms and any available dental history.
• A decision or referral is made about whether you need further, in-person care.

After every visit, patients receive written documentation with the dentist’s name, license number and referral contact for any needed in-person follow-up.

Is it safe to see a dentist online?

For the right kind of visits, telehealth dentistry is considered very safe. The Georgia Dental Association says the bill “establishes consumer protections to ensure patients receive the same standard of care required in traditional dental settings.”

Patient protections:

All patients must sign an informed consent form before the first visit and once a year after, acknowledging that virtual care is not the same as an in-person exam.

• Georgia-licensed dentists only
• Same privacy and documentation standards as in-person care
• Services conducted only when they can be seen and assessed safely on video or with uploaded images
• For serious issues, patients should be directed to in-person care or urgent care.

Although this is designed to help underserved populations have easier access to dental care, you should still check your insurance policy benefits concerning dental telehealth or contact your provider directly to ensure coverage.

This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 6:00 AM with the headline "You can see a dentist from your phone in GA now. Here’s how."