(a)The following words and terms, when used in this
section, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly
indicates otherwise:
(1)"Didactic education" requires the presentation
and instruction of theory and scientific principles.
(2)"Clinical education" requires providing care to
patient(s) under the direct supervision of a dentist or dental hygienist
instructor.
(3)"Direct Supervision" requires that the instructor
responsible for the procedure shall be physically present during patient
care and shall be aware of the patient's physical status and well-being.
[(b)This subsection applies only
to applications for certification received by the Board before September
1, 2009. A Texas-licensed dentist who is enrolled as a Medicaid Provider
with appropriate state agencies, or who practices in an area determined
to be underserved by the Department of State Health Services, 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 (f) of this
section.]
[(c)This subsection applies only
to applications for certification received by the Board on or after
September 1, 2009. A Texas-licensed dentist may delegate the application
of pit and fissure sealant to a dental assistant, if the dental assistant
is certified pursuant to subsection (f) of this section.]
(b)[(d)] In addition to application
of pit and fissure sealants a dental assistant who meets the
requirements [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)[(e)] The dentist may not
bill for a cleansing provided hereunder as a prophylaxis.
(d)A Texas-licensed dentist may delegate
the application of pit and fissure sealants to a dental assistant
if the dental assist has:
(1)at least two years of experience as a dental assistant;
(2)successfully completed a current course in basic
life support; and
(3)completed a minimum of 8 hours of education that
includes clinical and didactic education in pit and fissure sealants
taken through a CODA-accredited dental, dental hygiene, or dental
assistant 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.
(e)Application of pit and fissure
sealants must be in accordance with the minimum standard of care and
limited to the dental assistant's scope of practice.
(f)The dental assistant must comply
with the Dental Practice Act and Board Rules in the application of
pit and fissure sealants. Pursuant to §258.003 of the Dental
Practice Act, the delegating dentist is responsible for all dental
acts delegated to a dental assistant, including application of pit
and fissure sealant.
[(f)A dental assistant wishing to
obtain certification under this section must:]
[(1)Pay an application fee set by board rule;]
[(2)And on a form prescribed by the Board provide
proof that the applicant has:]
[(A)At least two years of experience as a dental assistant;]
[(B)Successfully completed a current course in basic
life support; and]
[(C)Complete a minimum of 16 hours of education for
certificates issued under applications received by the Board before
September 1, 2009 or complete a minimum of 8 hours of education for
certificates issued under applications received by the Board on or
after September 1, 2009. To fulfill this requirement, the education
must include clinical and didactic education in pit and fissure sealants
taken through a CODA-accredited dental hygiene or dental assisting
program approved by the Board whose course of instruction includes:]
[(i)infection control;]
[(ii)cardiopulmonary resuscitation;]
[(iii)treatment of medical emergencies;]
[(iv)microbiology;]
[(v)chemistry;]
[(vi)dental anatomy;]
[(vii)ethics related to pit and fissure sealants;]
[(viii)jurisprudence related to pit and fissure sealants;
and]
[(ix)the correct application of sealants, including
the actual clinical application of sealants.]
[(g)Before January 1 of each year,
a dental assistant registered under this section who wishes to renew
that registration must:]
[(1)Pay a renewal fee set by board rule; and]
[(2)Submit proof that the applicant has successfully
completed a current course in basic life support; and either]
[(3)For certificates issued under applications filed
before September 1, 2009, the dental assistant must complete at least
six (6) hours of continuing education in technical and scientific
coursework in the previous calendar year.]
[(A)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.]
[(B)Dental assistants shall select and participate
in continuing education courses offered by or endorsed by:]
[(i)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,]
[(ii)nationally recognized dental, dental hygiene
or dental assisting organizations.]
[(C)No more than three (3) hours of the required continuing
education coursework may be in self-study; or]
[(4)For certificates issued under applications filed
on or after September 1, 2009, the dental assistant must complete
continuing education requirements in accordance with §114.12
of this chapter.]
The agency certifies that legal counsel has
reviewed the proposal and found it to be within the state agency's
legal authority to adopt.
Filed with the Office
of the Secretary of State on September 29, 2017
TRD-201703950 Kelly Parker
Executive Director
State Board of Dental Examiners
Earliest possible date of adoption: November 12, 2017
For further information, please call: (512) 475-0977
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