By Coleman H.B. No. 3533
76R8492 SMH-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the regulation of the practice of dental hygiene.
1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Chapter 475, Acts of the 52nd Legislature,
1-5 Regular Session, 1951 (Article 4551e, Vernon's Texas Civil
1-6 Statutes), is amended by amending Section 1 and adding Section 3A
1-7 to read as follows:
1-8 Sec. 1. The term "dental hygiene," and the practice thereof
1-9 as used in this Act shall mean and is hereby defined as (a) the
1-10 removal of accumulated matter, tartar, deposits, accretions or
1-11 stains, except mottled enamel stains, from the natural and restored
1-12 surfaces of exposed human teeth, and restorations therefor in the
1-13 human mouth, the smoothing of the roughened root surfaces, and the
1-14 polishing of said surfaces; (b) the making of topical application
1-15 of drugs or pit and fissure sealants to the surface tissues of the
1-16 human mouth and to the exposed surface of human teeth, including
1-17 the sub-gingival placement of materials containing medicaments; (c)
1-18 the administration of a local anesthetic or nitrous oxide; (d) the
1-19 making of Dental X-rays; and (e) [(d)] such other services and
1-20 procedures as may be prescribed by the Texas State Board of Dental
1-21 Examiners in its Rules and Regulations; provided, however, that
1-22 such services, tasks, or procedures defined as dental hygiene are
1-23 performed in compliance with Section 3 of this Act [Article].
1-24 The term "dental hygienist," as used in this Act shall mean
2-1 and is hereby defined as a person who practices "dental hygiene,"
2-2 who possesses the qualifications prescribed by the laws of this
2-3 State, and who possesses a valid license and current receipt by the
2-4 Texas State Board of Dental Examiners to so practice.
2-5 Sec. 3A. With the advice of the dental hygiene advisory
2-6 committee, the Board by rule may establish additional education or
2-7 training requirements for:
2-8 (1) the topical application of pit and fissure
2-9 sealants;
2-10 (2) the sub-gingival placement of materials containing
2-11 medicaments; or
2-12 (3) the administration of a local anesthetic or
2-13 nitrous oxide.
2-14 SECTION 2. Article 4551e-1, Revised Statutes, is amended by
2-15 adding Subsection (h) to read as follows:
2-16 (h) Notwithstanding Subsection (b)(4) of this Act, a dentist
2-17 may delegate to a dental hygienist the authority to administer a
2-18 local anesthetic agent or nitrous oxide if the dental hygienist is
2-19 authorized by the Board to perform that procedure.
2-20 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
2-21 SECTION 4. The importance of this legislation and the
2-22 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
2-23 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
2-24 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-25 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.