The State Board of Dental Examiners proposes new §114.3 Application of Pit and Fissure Sealants The new rule is proposed to implement the provisions of House Bill 3507, Article 4, 77th Legislature, 2001, which provides that dentists may delegate the application of pit and fissure sealants to dental assistants who meet certain qualifications.

Jeffry R. Hill, Executive Director, State Board of Dental Examiners, has determined that for the first five-year period the new rule is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for local or state government as a result of enforcing or administering the rule.

Mr. Hill also has determined that for each year of the first five years the new rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of the rule is that the agency will have an established procedure in place to certify dental assistants who are qualified, and agency rules will address procedures for dentists to delegate the procedures.

There will be no fiscal implications for small or large businesses. Therefore the SBDE has determined that compliance with the proposed new rule will not have an adverse economic impact on small businesses when compared to large businesses.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Mei Ling Clendennen, Assistant Executive Director, State Board of Dental Examiners, 333 Guadalupe, Tower 3, Suite 800, Austin, Texas 78701, (512) 463-6400. To be considered, all written comments must be received by the State Board of Dental Examiners on or before November 19, 2001.

The new rule is proposed under Texas Government Code §2001.021 et.seq; Texas Civil Statutes, the Occupations Code §254.001 which provides the State Board of Dental Examiners with the authority to adopt and enforce rules necessary for it to perform its duties, and to ensure compliance with laws relating to the practice of dentistry and with the provisions of House Bill 3507, Article 4, 77th Legislature, 2001.

The proposed new rule does not affect other statutes, articles, or codes.