NOTICE OF INTENT TO AMEND RULE OF THE GEORGIA BOARD OF DENTISTRY

RULE 150-5-.08 USE OF A DENTAL DIODE LASER BY A DENTAL HYGIENIST

 

NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT RULES OF THE GEORGIA BOARD OF DENTISTRY

CHAPTER 150-26 TELEDENTISTRY

This notice, together with an exact copy of the rule including the proposed amendments and a synopsis of the rule including the proposed amendments, is being forwarded to all persons who have requested, in writing, that they be placed on an interested parties list. A copy of this notice, an exact copy of the rule including the proposed amendments, and a synopsis of the rule including the proposed amendments may be reviewed during normal business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except official State holidays, at the Department of Community Health at 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive SE, East Tower, 11th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30334. These documents will also be available for review on the Georgia Board of Dentistry's web page at http://gbd.georgia.gov/.

A public hearing is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM on September 4, 2026 at the Department of Community Health at 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive SE, East Tower, 11th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30334 to provide the public an opportunity to comment upon and provide input into the proposed amendments. During the public hearing, anyone may present data, make a statement, comment or offer a viewpoint or argument whether orally or in writing. Lengthy statements or statements of a considerable technical or economic nature, as well as previously recorded messages, must be submitted for the official record. Oral statements should be concise and will be limited to 5 minutes per person. Additional comments should be presented in writing. Written comments are welcome. To ensure their consideration, written comments must be received prior to September 3, 2026. Written comments should be addressed to Executive Director of the Georgia Board of Dentistry at 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive SE, East Tower, 11th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30334. You may email your comments to [email protected].

The proposed rule amendments will be considered by the Georgia Board of Dentistry during its meeting scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM on September 4, 2026 at the Department of Community Health at 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive SE, East Tower, 11th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30334. According to the Department of Law, State of Georgia, the Georgia Board of Dentistry has the authority to adopt the proposed rule amendments pursuant to authority contained in O.C.G.A §§ 43-11-1, 43-11-7, 43-11-9, 43-11-73.1, and 43-11-74.

At its meeting on 7/10/2026, the Board voted that the formulation and adoption of these amendments do not impose excessive regulatory cost on any licensee and any cost to comply with the proposed amendments cannot be reduced by a less expensive alternative that fully accomplishes the objectives of O.C.G.A §§ 43-11-7 and 43-11-9. 

At its meeting on 7/10/2026, the Board also voted that it is not legal or feasible to meet the objectives of O.C.G.A. §§43-11-7 and 43-11-9 to adopt or implement differing actions for businesses as listed at O.C.G.A. § 50-13-4(a)(3)(A), (B), (C) and (D). The formulation and adoption of these amendments will impact every licensee in the same manner, and each licensee is independently licensed, owned and operated and dominant in the field of dentistry.  

 For further information, contact the Board office at 404-651-8000.

 This notice is given in compliance with O.C.G.A. § 50-13-4.