The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (Board) adopts amendments to 22 TAC Chapter 114, §114.3, concerning certification for the application of pit and fissure sealants by a dental assistant, without changes to the proposed text as published in the September 9, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 5529). The amendments enact certain changes to Texas Occupations Code, §265.004, imposed by Senate Bill 610, §8, 79th Legislature. The section as amended also contains revisions to clarify and standardize language, and to improve organization.

The amendments allow a CODA-accredited dental assisting program to meet the 16-hour educational requirement for a dental assistant's pit and fissure certification. Currently, only CODA-accredited dental hygiene programs are accepted.

There are no other substantive changes to the section.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendments.

The amendments are adopted under Texas Government Code, §§2001.021, et seq., Texas Occupations Code §254.001, which provides the Board with the authority to adopt and enforce rules necessary for it to perform its duties, and Senate Bill 610, 79th Legislature.

The adoption of the amendments affect Title 3, Subtitle D of the Texas Occupations Code and Texas Administrative Code, Title 22, Part 5, Chapter 101 - 125.