1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the licensing of certain dentists and dental
1-3 hygienists.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Section 2(a), Article 4545a, Revised Statutes,
1-6 is amended to read as follows:
1-7 (a) The Board, upon payment by the applicant of a fee set by
1-8 the Board, shall grant a license to a dentist or dental hygienist
1-9 who has [not] graduated from a foreign dental or dental hygiene
1-10 school that is recognized by the government of the country in which
1-11 the school is located as providing appropriate educational
1-12 preparation for the practice of dentistry or dental hygiene in that
1-13 country [accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of
1-14 the American Dental Association] if:
1-15 (1) the dentist or dental hygienist has practiced for
1-16 a minimum of five years immediately prior to applying;
1-17 (2) the dentist or dental hygienist has not been the
1-18 subject of final or pending disciplinary action in any jurisdiction
1-19 in which the dentist or dental hygienist is or has been licensed;
1-20 (3) the Board, through a procedure adopted by rule,
1-21 determines [has determined] that the program the applicant attended
1-22 is the educational [qualifications are] equivalent of a dental or
1-23 a dental hygienist program accredited by the Commission on Dental
1-24 Accreditation of the American Dental Association [to those required
2-1 to practice dentistry or dental hygiene in the state]; and
2-2 (4) the dentist or dental hygienist has completed all
2-3 examinations required by the Board for licensure.
2-4 SECTION 2. Article 4545a, Revised Statutes, is amended by
2-5 adding Section 3 to read as follows:
2-6 Sec. 3. (a) The Dental Hygiene Advisory Committee shall
2-7 assist the Board in determining educational equivalency under
2-8 Section 2(a) of this article.
2-9 (b) The advisory committee shall review transcripts, course
2-10 descriptions, and other material considered necessary by the Board
2-11 to determine educational equivalency.
2-12 (c) A member of the advisory committee is not liable in a
2-13 civil action for any act performed in good faith in the execution
2-14 of that member's duty as a committee member.
2-15 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997.
2-16 SECTION 4. The importance of this legislation and the
2-17 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
2-18 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
2-19 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-20 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2255 was passed by the House on May
7, 1997, by a non-record vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2255 was passed by the Senate on May
21, 1997, by a viva-voce vote.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor