SRC-SLL H.B. 1868 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterH.B. 1868
By: Turner, Sylvester (Zaffirini)
Health & Human Services
5-17-97
Committee Report (Amended)


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 the members of the faculty of a reputable dental or dental
hygiene college or school; or 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.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Amendment 1.

On page 1, line 10, after the work "dental" and before the word "college",
insert the words "or dental hygiene".