How California’s dental laws have changed the DIY orthodontics industry
Last year, Governor Gavin Newsom signed California’s Assembly Bill 1519 into law, resulting in major effects on the way DIY orthodontic companies such as SmileDirectClub, Candid, and Byte (and etc.) conduct business. DIY clear aligners and DIY braces have been controversial in the dental world since some users have further damaged their smiles by using DIY products. These dental disasters happen because the teeth are moved without the regular and consistent supervision and oversite of a certified orthodontist, or best yet, a board-certified (Diplomat) orthodontist. But, most of these patients were promised evaluation and access to treating dentist and/or orthodontist at first.
As a result, legislation has increased the California Dental Board’s oversight and regulation of orthodontics in California. This includes requiring dentists to review a patient’s x-rays or bone imaging before allowing them to use orthodontics. Failure to do this is grounds for a dental malpractice lawsuit.
This new law also requires anyone providing dental services to provide their information and dental license number if a patient asks for them. As an added protective measure, the law also forbids dental professionals from forcing patients to sign agreements that prevent them from making complaints about their dental services.
In a statement, SmileDirectClub called these new policy changes “undebated, clinically unsupported, and ill-advised.” They opined that the bill would create “unnecessary hurdles and costs to Californians that need care but struggle to afford it.” But the board was, simply, asking SmileDirectClub to protect patients’ safety in-order to prevent unforeseen complications, as it has been reported to the Attorney General of California’s office over this time!
In any case, it is wiser and much safer for dental patients who is considering orthodontics to seek the help of a trained professional instead of attempting procedures that risk causing great damage to their teeth. Patients can save a substantial amount of time, money, and pain by seeking professional help.