| TO: | Honorable Jaime Capelo, Chair, House Committee on Public Health |
| FROM: | John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | SB263 by Nelson (Relating to the continuation and functions of the State Board of Dental Examiners.), As Engrossed |
| Fiscal Year | Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds |
|---|---|
| 2004 | $0 |
| 2005 | $0 |
| 2006 | $0 |
| 2007 | $0 |
| 2008 | $0 |
| Fiscal Year | Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss) fromGENERAL REVENUE FUND 1 |
Probable Savings/(Cost) fromGENERAL REVENUE FUND 1 |
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | $166,046 | ($166,046) | 4.0 |
| 2005 | $153,315 | ($153,315) | 4.0 |
| 2006 | $153,315 | ($153,315) | 4.0 |
| 2007 | $153,315 | ($153,315) | 4.0 |
| 2008 | $153,315 | ($153,315) | 4.0 |
The bill would continue the State Board of Dental Examiners for 12 years.
The bill would reduce the size of the board from 18 to 15 members; establish a process for debt forgiveness for services by dental professionals in rural or underserved areas; establish an informal dispute settlement process providing for restitution; and expand the Board’s existing regulation to require the registration of dental assistants who take X-rays.
Reducing the size of the Board from 18 to 15 members would result in an annual savings to General Revenue of approximately $5,800 as a result of reduced travel expenses for Board meetings and other Board business.
It is assumed that the rural area loan reimbursement program for dental practitioners would have no fiscal impact to the State because any costs associated with these loan reimbursements would be recovered by revenue generated from increases in dentist and dental hygienist licensing fees.
It is assumed the number of complaints would increase from 88 in fiscal year 2002 to 352. It is estimated the agency will need one additional attorney at $47,957 per year and 2 additional investigators at $83,026 to handle the increased number of complaint cases. It is also estimated the agency will need to hold two additional settlement conferences per year and incur additional travel expenses for three board members.
Approximately 10,000 dental assistants who are currently registered to take X-rays would choose to be registered under the provisions of the bill. It is also assumed that the agency would register half of the dental assistants who have already passed the X-ray portion of the exam and begin registering 2,500 new dental assistants in fiscal year 2005.
In fiscal year 2006, the agency would register the remaining half of the 10,000 currently licensed dental assistants and 2,500 new dental assistants. In addition, the agency would begin to renew registrations from fiscal year 2005 (7,500 renewals).
In order to handle the increased workload associated with the new registrations, the agency indicates a need for an additional clerk at $27,132 per year. The agency will also incur costs to develop and distribute study guides and administer examinations.
It is assumed the agency would adjust fees to offset any costs or revenue changes associated with the implementation of the bill.
It is estimated the expanded regulation of dental assistants would require the Board to expand its databases to accomodate the anticipated annual registrations. The cost of this technology impact is estimated to be $12,731 for initial changes to the database and an estimated increase of $1,000 per year for data storage.
| Source Agencies: | 360 State Office Of Administrative Hearings, 504 Texas State Board Of Dental Examiners, 529 Health And Human Services Commission
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| LBB Staff: | JK, EB, GO, TG, RT
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