| (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) In addition to application of pit and fissure sealants
a dental assistant who meets the requirements 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 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.
|
| Source Note: The provisions of this §114.3 adopted to be effective December 30, 2001, 26 TexReg 10572 ; amended to be effective effective May 10, 2004, 29 TexReg 4479; amended to be effective November 27, 2005, 30 TexReg 7744; amended to be effective February 2, 2010, 35 TexReg 638; amended to be effective March 18, 2018, 43 TexReg 1437 |
