SRC-SLL H.B. 1868 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1868 By: Turner, Sylvester (Zaffirini) Health & Human Services 5-15-97 Engrossed DIGEST The Dental Practice Act lists those individuals, such as students and faculty of dental and dental hygiene schools, who are not considered to be practicing dentistry without a license. Language permitting dental students to practice requires supervision by faculty members, but similar language was inadvertently left out of the section for dental hygiene students. Faculty of dental schools may only perform services for the benefit of the school. Although prohibitions prevent any payment of students, there is no prohibition on dental hygiene students working in profit-making enterprises. This bill will provide regulations regarding certain exceptions to the definition of dentistry. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 1868 provides regulations regarding certain exceptions to the definition of dentistry. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is granted to State Board of Dental Examiners of SECTION 1 (Section 11(10), Article 4451b, V.T.C.S.) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 11, Article 4551b, V.T.C.S., to prohibit the definition of dentistry as contained in Chapter 9, Title 7, V.T.C.S., from applying to students of a dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association and operated at an accredited institution of higher education who practice dental hygiene without pay under the general supervision of a dentist and under the supervision of a demonstrator or teacher who is a member of the faculty of that program in a clinic operated for the sole benefit of the program's institution of higher education or in a clinic operated by a government or nonprofit organization that serves underserved populations as determined by rule of the State Board of Dental Examiners. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.