The State Board of Dental Examiners (Board) adopts new rule §111.4, concerning Prescription Monitoring by the Board, with changes to the proposed text as published in the October 13, 2017, issue of the Texas Register (42 TexReg 5633). The rule requires that the Board randomly search dentists' PMP report to look for prescription abuse. This rule is being adopted to comply with H.B. 2561. The rule has been modified from the proposed version to clarify that the law and the rule does not go into effect until September 1, 2019. This modification is being adopted without re-proposal because it does not expand the scope of affected parties and provides clarification, rather than additional requirements.

The Board received supportive comments from the Texas Dental Association and the Texas Academy of General Dentistry.

This new rule is adopted under Texas Occupations Code §254.001(a), which gives the Board authority to adopt rules necessary to perform its duties and ensure compliance with state laws relating to the practice of dentistry to protect the public health and safety.