SRC-TJG H.B. 3193 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3193 78R7368 YDB-DBy: Uresti (Madla) Health & Human Services 5/19/2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, dental assistants can apply pit and fissure sealants if the delegating dentist is a Medicaid provider. This authority was granted by S.B. 3507 in the 77th Legislature. Many dental assistants have already been trained and certified for this purpose by the State Board of Dental Examiners. H.B. 3193 adds that the dental assistant can perform this procedure if the delegating dentist practices in an area that the Texas Department of Health has determined to be underserved. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 258.002(b), Occupations Code, to authorize a licensed dentist to delegate, under Subsection (a), the application of a pit and fissure sealant to a dental assistant if the dentist is a Medicaid provider or the dentist practices in an area determined to be underserved by the Texas Department of Health. SECTION 2. Amends Section 265.003(b), Occupations Code, to authorize a dental assistant to apply a pit and fissure sealant under Subsection (a) only if certain conditions apply. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.