The State Board of Dental Examiners proposes amendments to §104.2, Providers in conjunction with its review of Chapter 104, Continuing Education and in accordance with the General Appropriations Act of 1997, Article IX, Acts of the 75th Legislature 1997, §167. The rule is amended to add the Western Regional Examining Board, the American Academy of Dental Hygiene, the American Dental Education Association, and the American Heart Association.

Jeffry R. Hill, Executive Director, State Board of Dental Examiners, has determined for the first five-year period the amended 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 amended rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule is that there will be an expanded list of educational providers available for dental professionals to obtain the continuing education required for annual license renewal.

It is unknown if there will be any fiscal implications for small businesses. Should such costs be incurred, they will not be of such magnitude to impact the economic viability of a small business. Therefore the SBDE has determined that compliance with the proposed amended rule will not have an adverse economic impact on small businesses when compared to large businesses as the cost of compliance, if any, will be minimal.

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 March 19, 2001.

The amended rule is proposed under Texas Government Code §2001.021 et.seq; Texas Civil Statutes, the Occupations Code §257.005 which provides that the Board shall develop a mandatory Continuing Education program and §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.

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