By Alonzo                                             H.B. No. 2439
       74R6955 CAG-F
                                 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
    1-1                                AN ACT
    1-2  relating to the practice of dental hygiene.
    1-3        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
    1-4        SECTION 1.  Section 1, Chapter 475, Acts of the 52nd
    1-5  Legislature, 1951 (Article 4551e, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes),
    1-6  is amended to read as follows:
    1-7        Sec. 1.  DEFINITIONS.  (1)  The term "dental hygiene<,>" and
    1-8  the practice thereof as used in this Act shall mean and is hereby
    1-9  defined as:
   1-10                    (a)  the removal of accumulated matter, calculus
   1-11  <tartar>, deposits, accretions or stains, except mottled enamel
   1-12  stains, from the natural and restored surfaces of exposed human
   1-13  teeth, and restorations therefor in the human mouth, the smoothing
   1-14  of the roughened root surfaces, and the polishing of said surfaces;
   1-15                    (b)  the making of topical application of drugs
   1-16  to the surface tissues of the human mouth and to the exposed or
   1-17  detached surface of human teeth;
   1-18                    (c)  the making of Dental X-rays; <and>
   1-19                    (d)  the injection of block and infiltration
   1-20  local dental anesthesia and the administration of nitrous oxide
   1-21  analgesia, if the dental hygienist has completed a course that
   1-22  meets the requirements established by the dental hygiene advisory
   1-23  committee and holds a certificate from the Texas State Board of
   1-24  Dental Examiners allowing the hygienist to administer local dental
    2-1  anesthesia and nitrous oxide;
    2-2                    (e)  the packing and carving of an amalgam
    2-3  restoration, if the dental hygienist has completed a course  in
    2-4  amalgam that meets the requirements established by the dental
    2-5  hygiene advisory committee and holds a certificate from the Texas
    2-6  State Board of Dental Examiners allowing the hygienist to pack and
    2-7  carve an amalgam restoration; and
    2-8                    (f)  such other services and procedures as may be
    2-9  prescribed by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners in its
   2-10  Rules and Regulations; provided, however, that such services,
   2-11  tasks, or procedures defined as dental hygiene are performed in
   2-12  compliance with Section 3 of this Article.
   2-13              (2)  The term "dental hygienist," as used in this Act
   2-14  shall mean and is hereby defined as a person who practices "dental
   2-15  hygiene," who possesses the qualifications prescribed by the laws
   2-16  of this State, and who possesses a valid license and current
   2-17  receipt by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners to so
   2-18  practice.
   2-19        SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1995.
   2-20        SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the
   2-21  crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
   2-22  emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
   2-23  constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
   2-24  days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.