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.