Idaho dentists urge governor to veto bill that limits teledentistry

As medical professionals, we appreciate Gov. Brad Little’s leadership and work to ensure that those who need care have access to doctors and treatments, regardless of location or financial means. It’s important that we look to new ideas and smart solutions.

A crucial tool is the use of “telemedicine” — digital solutions to help patients consult with medical professionals when isolated or otherwise unable to receive care.

However, sitting on Gov. Little’s desk is legislation to stifle the use of telemedicine for a segment of Idaho’s medical community. The timing isn’t just ironic; it’s downright offensive.

We have been in practice collectively for decades and are proud of our service to our communities and neighbors. In many of the areas in which we practice, 30% or more of the population live below the poverty line. They don’t have great insurance, and their work hours or their rural locations make doctor visits challenging or impossible. Their health care needs often go unmet.

To serve those (and others who wouldn’t otherwise seek treatment) we work with a teledentistry platform for certain care not requiring intense in-office treatment. We know from firsthand experience that technology can help bridge our state’s gaps in care.

Teledentistry reduces the cost of quality care, increases efficiency for doctors to focus in-office care on patients who need it and provides consumers with accessible and flexible solutions.

Despite those benefits, the Idaho Legislature has passed Senate Bill 1295, legislation with the sole purpose of making it difficult and expensive for patients to utilize teledentistry.

Lobbyists for the Idaho State Dental Association pushed for these restrictions on teledentistry, which would add needless costs rather than provide options and access to care. For Idahoans, this should be an outrage.

If signed into law, the bill would require providers such as us to have a business relationship with a local dentist in the same town as the people who contact us remotely seeking care.

While that might sound straightforward, in reality it is a naked attempt by the Idaho State Dental Association to protect the financial interests of their members. It would force Idahoans to go through a local dentist rather than utilizing cheaper, easier methods of delivering the same, safe doctor-prescribed, doctor-directed, and doctor-managed care and treatment.

The goal of the bill is simple: to discourage the use of telemedicine for dental care, forcing people to spend their money with brick-and-mortar dentists. It’s about money, not patient safety.

The timing of this measure is particularly absurd. Just when our country is looking toward a future of using telemedicine to provide safe and efficient access to medical professionals, our state is considering legislation that actually prevents it.

Idaho has always championed free markets and personal freedom. Under Gov. Little’s leadership, our state made big strides for consumer choice, and has embraced changes to make us the least regulated state in the country.

However, if this law is enacted, Idaho will not be serving the free market, the health of its citizens, or the needs of the medical community.

That’s not what Idaho stands for, and that is not what Idaho needs at a time when we must be utilizing more telemedicine options for our citizens.

We urge Gov. Little to support Idaho’s health and freedom and veto Senate Bill 1295.