The State Board of Dental Examiners (Board) adopts new rule 22 TAC §119.11, concerning the recognition of Dental Anesthesiology as a dental specialty. The adopted new rule recognizes the specialty of Dental Anesthesiology as approved and adopted by the American Dental Association's National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards. Dental Anesthesiology is the specialty of dentistry and discipline of anesthesiology encompassing the art and science of managing pain, anxiety, and overall patient health during dental, oral, maxillofacial and adjunctive surgical or diagnostic procedures throughout the entire perioperative period. The specialty is dedicated to promoting patient safety as well as access to care for all dental patients, including the very young and patients with special health care needs. This new rule is adopted with no changes to the proposed text as published in the January 8, 2021, issue of the Texas Register (46 TexReg 273), and will not be republished.

One comment was received after publication of the proposed rule amendment during the official comment period. The Texas Dental Association provided a written comment in support of adoption of the rule as proposed. The Board agrees with this comment and no changes to the proposed rule were made as a result of the comment.

This 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.