(a) Creation and dissolution. The board, through rule,
may establish standing committees as it deems necessary. Standing
committees and appointments to standing committees shall be reviewed
at least annually by the board's presiding officer to determine whether
there is a continuing need for the existence of a standing committee
or for a board member's appointment to a standing committee.
(b) Membership. The presiding officer of the board
shall appoint members of the board to serve on standing committees.
An appointment to a standing committee shall be made for a term of
two years but may be terminated at any point by the presiding officer.
Committee members may be re-appointed or replaced at the discretion
of the presiding officer. At least one dentist member of the board
and at least one non-dentist member of the board shall serve on each
standing committee. The board's presiding officer shall be an ex-officio
member of each standing committee.
(c) Chair. The presiding officer shall designate one
member of each standing committee to serve as chair of the standing
committee. No board member shall serve as chair of more than one standing
committee at a time.
(d) Meetings and Participation. Each board member shall
serve on at least one and no more than three standing committees,
or two standing committees and the executive committee, except the
presiding officer who is an ex-officio member of all standing committees.
(e) Open Meetings Act. Standing committee meetings
shall be open to the public and held in compliance with chapter 551
of the Texas Government Code.
(f) Committee actions. The actions of standing committees
are recommendations only and are not binding until ratification by
the board at a regularly scheduled meeting, with the exception of
permits approved by the Anesthesia Committee.
(g) The following are standing committees of the board.
The responsibilities and authority of these committees shall include
the duties and powers described below and other responsibilities and
charges that the board may delegate to these committees.
(1) Anesthesia Committee.
(A) review applications for level 3 and level 4 sedation/anesthesia
permits and sedation/anesthesia portability permits, and make recommendations
to the board concerning any proposed denial of a permit;
(B) study and make recommendations to the board concerning
the administration of sedation/anesthesia in dental treatment; including
but not limited to permitting, regulation, and/or discipline of sedation/anesthesia
permit holders, applicants, or other licensees;
(C) study and make recommendations to the board concerning
board rules regarding or affecting the administration of sedation/anesthesia
in dental treatment; and
(D) study and make recommendations to the board concerning
any other issue brought to the attention of the committee.
(2) Dental Practice Committee.
(A) study and make recommendations to the board regarding
board rules, policies, or other actions pertaining to the standard
of care in the practice of dentistry;
(B) study and make recommendations to the board regarding
issues concerning or referred by the Dental Hygiene Advisory Committee
or the Dental Lab Certification Council; and
(C) study and make recommendations to the board concerning
ethical issues related to the practice of dentistry.
(3) Disciplinary Review Committee.
(A) oversee the taking of public action by the board,
including disciplinary and remedial action, and give guidance to the
board and agency staff regarding improvements of the disciplinary
process and effective enforcement of the Act and board rules;
(B) monitor the effectiveness, appropriateness, and
timeliness of the disciplinary process and enforcement of the Act
and board rules;
(C) make recommendations regarding rules and policies
to guide agency staff and the board in their determination of appropriate
action on violations of the Act and board rules;
(D) make recommendations regarding resolution and disposition
of specific cases;
(E) make recommendations regarding the dismissals of
complaints and closure of investigations;
(F) make recommendations regarding the modification
of prior actions of the board; and
(G) make recommendations to agency staff and the board
regarding policies, priorities, budget, and other matters related
to the disciplinary process.
(4) Licensing Committee.
(A) review applications for licensure and permits,
make determinations of eligibility and report to the board its recommendations
as provided by the Dental Practice and board rules;
(B) review board rules regarding licensure and make
recommendations to the board regarding changes or implementation of
such rules;
(C) evaluate and approve remediation plans;
(D) evaluate each examination accepted by the board;
(E) investigate and report to the board any problems
in the administration of examinations and recommend and implement
ways of correcting identified problems;
(F) make recommendations to the board regarding postgraduate
training permits and issues concerning dentists in training;
(G) maintain communication with Texas dental schools;
(H) study and make recommendations to the board regarding
maintenance of licensure requirements, including continuing education
requirements, courses, and course providers;
(I) develop and review board rules regarding all persons
and entities subject to the Board's jurisdiction, and make recommendations
to the board regarding changes or implementation of such rules;
(J) make recommendations to the board regarding matters
brought to the attention of the licensing committee.
|