South Carolina requires in-person exams before most remote dental care

Dental providers must generally examine patients in person before providing remote care. Providers must review relevant records and reasonably expect regular in-person follow-up care. Teeth-straightening treatment requires images taken with an in-person exam. Providers may start care remotely for emergencies that cannot wait, certain public health programs, or an initial assessment of misaligned teeth. Covered public health programs are approved by the dental board or run by the Department of Health and Human Services, a health district, or a school district. Before a patient uses an orthodontic appliance, such as braces, a remote assessment must be confirmed through an in-person visit and review of current dental images. Treatment cannot rely only on an online questionnaire or be experimental or lack research support. These requirements took effect on May 19, 2026.

Dental providers must verify patient information, obtain written informed consent, and keep a dentist responsible for care except during emergency treatment. Providers must confirm identity and record the patient's location and consent. Patients must be somewhere the provider is licensed or otherwise allowed to practice. A parent or guardian must be present and give consent when a minor cannot legally consent. Patients must be told about providers, service limits, and plans for emergencies or technology failures. Provider contact and license information must be available before care and on request. Providers must refer patients for urgent care when needed to protect their health and safety. Providers cannot assign work beyond a worker's legal duties or use remote supervision when in-person dentist supervision is required. These duties took effect on May 19, 2026.

Advertisements for specified remote dental services must recommend an in-person dental exam. The rule covers ads for tooth or jaw impressions and scans, making or adjusting dental devices such as dentures, and correcting tooth or jaw malformations. The warning must be clearly readable and recommend an examination by a South Carolina-licensed dentist before treatment to prevent injury or harm. The advertising requirement took effect on May 19, 2026.

Dental providers cannot require patients to agree to restrictions on seeking help for deficient care. The rule covers complaints to the dental board, government reports, lawsuits, and group lawsuits. It also bars requiring binding arbitration, which settles disputes outside court. Requiring these agreements counts as unprofessional conduct. This rule took effect on May 19, 2026.