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By: Nelson S.B. No. 632
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to dental assistant x-rays.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 265.005, Occupations Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) A dental assistant may not make dental x-rays unless the
dental assistant holds a certificate of registration issued by the
board under this section.
(b) To qualify for a certificate of registration, a dental
assistant must pay a fee in an amount determined by the board and:
(1) pass an examination administered by the board
covering:
(A) the procedure for making dental x-rays;
(B) jurisprudence; and
(C) infection control; or
(2) pass an examination administered by the board
covering the subject described by Subdivision (1)(B) and be
certified as a dental assistant by the Dental Assisting National
Board if the board determines that the requirements for
certification by that board are sufficient to protect the public.
(c) The board shall set the registration fee for a dental
assistant who qualifies under Subsection (b)(1) in an amount
greater than the amount of the registration fee for a dental
assistant who qualifies under Subsection (b)(2).
(d) The [portion of the] examination described by
Subsection (b)(1)[(B)] must be tailored to a dental assistant's
responsibilities and role in a dental office.
(e) The board shall develop the examination or contract with
another person the board determines has the expertise and resources
to develop the examination. The board [may] shall create an
advisory committee consisting of dental industry professionals and
educators to advise the board in developing the examination. The
advisory committee shall advise the board on any study guides or
reference materials provided by the board for use in preparation
for this examination.
(f) The examination shall be administered by the board or by
a testing service under an agreement with the board. The
examination shall be offered through the Internet, as defined in
Government Code Section 2054.120(b). The board by rule shall
specify guidelines to ensure adequate protections to guarantee the
identity of the person taking the examination and prevent any other
breaches of the security of the examination. A dentist shall
proctor persons taking the examination through the Internet. The
board shall make available the study guides or reference materials
developed pursuant to Subsection (e) through the Internet.
(g) The examination must be available in both English and
Spanish. [A certificate of registration issued under this section
must be renewed annually.]
(h) The board by rule shall develop or approve [a] mandatory
continuing education courses [program] for holders of certificates
of registration. Holders of certificates of registration may
fulfill continuing education requirements through board approved
self-study and interactive computer courses. The board may not
require a person to complete more than 12 hours of continuing
education annually. The [curriculum] courses must cover procedures
for making dental x-rays, infection control, jurisprudence and
other subjects within dental assistant permitted duties. Holders
of certificates of registration shall complete courses on the
procedures for making dental x-rays, infection control and
jurisprudence at least once every three years. [standards of care,
procedures for infectious disease control, and the requirements of
this subtitle.] A person may not renew a certificate of
registration unless the person complies with the continuing
education requirements.
(i) A dentist may not allow a dental assistant to make
dental x-rays unless the dental assistant is in compliance with
this section.
(j) A certificate of registration issued under this section
must be renewed annually.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.