| (a) A Texas licensed dentist who is enrolled as a Medicaid
Provider with appropriate state agencies may delegate the application of a
pit and fissure sealant to a dental assistant, if the dental assistant:
(1) is employed by and works under the direct supervision of
the licensed dentist; and
(2) is certified pursuant to subsection (d) of this section.
(b) In addition to application of pit and fissure sealants
a dental assistant certified in this section may use a rubber prophylaxis
cup and appropriate polishing materials to cleanse the occlusal and smooth
surfaces of teeth that will be sealed or to prepare teeth for application
of orthodontic bonding resins Cleansing is intended only to prepare the teeth
for the application of sealants or bonding resins and should not exceed the
amount needed to do so.
(c) The dentist may not bill for a cleansing provided hereunder
as a prophylaxis.
(d) A dental assistant wishing to obtain certification must
pay an application fee set by Board rule and on a form prescribed by the Board
must provide proof of the following:
(1) at least two years of experience as a dental assistant;
(2) completion of a minimum of 16 hours of clinical and didactic
education in pit and fissure sealants taken through a CODA accredited dental
hygiene program approved by the Board whose course of instruction includes:
(A) infection control;
(B) cardiopulmonary resuscitation;
(C) treatment of medical emergencies;
(D) microbiology;
(E) chemistry;
(F) dental anatomy;
(G) ethics related to pit and fissure sealants;
(H) jurisprudence related to pit and fissure sealants; and
(I) the correct application of sealants, including the actual
clinical application of sealants; and
(3) Submit proof that applicant has successfully completed
a current course in basic life support given by the American Heart Association
or the American Red Cross.
(e) Before January 1 of each year, dental assistants certified
hereunder who wish to renew their certifications must pay a renewal fee set
by Board rule and must provide proof of the following:
(1) completion of at least six hours of continuing education
in technical and scientific coursework annually. The terms technical and scientific
as applied to continuing education shall mean that courses have significant
intellectual or practical content and are designed to directly enhance the
practitioner's knowledge and skill in providing clinical care to the individual
patient.
(A) Dental assistants shall select and participate in continuing
education courses offered by or endorsed by dental schools, dental hygiene
schools, or dental assisting schools that have been accredited by the Commission
on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association; or
(B) by nationally recognized dental, dental hygiene or dental
assisting organizations.
(C) No more than three hours may be in self-study; and
(2) Submit proof that applicant has successfully completed
a current course in basic life support given by the American Heart Association
or the American Red Cross.
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