BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 856 By: Harris, Jack (Sibley) Economic Development 3-15-95 Senate Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Sunset legislation for the Texas Board of Dental Examiners did not include specialty practices such as oral and maxillofacial surgery. Clearly defining the scope of practice definitions eliminates confusion between the fields of medicine and dentistry. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 856 sets forth the area of practice included in the dental specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 9, Title 71, V.T.C.S., by adding Article 4548b, as follows: Art. 4548b. ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY. Provides that oral and maxillofacial surgery includes the diagnosis and the surgical adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries, and defects involving both the functional and aesthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.