By:  Anderson                                                     H.B. No. 3311



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the regulation of veterinary dentistry.                           
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 801.002, Occupations Code, is amended by 
adding Subdivision (4-a) to read as follows:
		(4-a)  "Practice of dentistry" means the use of an 
instrument or device on any portion of an animal's tooth, gum, or 
related tissue to prevent, cure, or relieve a wound, fracture, 
injury, disease, or other condition.  The term includes, but is not 
limited to:
			(A)  preventive dental procedures, including 
procedures to:         
				(i)  remove calculus, soft deposits, plaque, 
and stains;           
				(ii)  smooth, file, or polish tooth surfaces 
above the gum line; and
			(B)  operative dental procedures or any other 
dental procedures that invade the hard or soft oral tissue, 
including procedures to:
				(i)  alter the structure of one or more 
teeth;                     
				(ii)  repair damaged and diseased teeth; and                         
				(iii)  extract one or more teeth.                                    
	SECTION 2.  Section 801.151(d), Occupations Code, is amended 
to read as follows:
	(d)  The board may adopt rules regarding the work of a person 
who:           
		(1)  works under the supervision of a veterinarian;  
and                    
		(2)(A)  fulfills the requirements established by a 
board-approved organization for registered veterinary technicians. 
or
		(B)  fulfills the requirements established by a 
board-approved organization for registered equine dentistry 
technicians.