BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

C.S.H.B. 2849

By: Sheffield

Public Health

Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Currently, a dental assistant who meets certain requirements may receive a certificate authorizing the assistant to remove stains and soft deposits such as plaque from the enamel of a tooth. One of the eligibility requirements for the certificate is the completion of a clinical and didactic education program. There is concern that the number of programs offering such education is too low. C.S.H.B. 2849 seeks to create more opportunity for a dental assistant to obtain such a certificate.

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

 

ANALYSIS

 

C.S.H.B. 2849 amends the Occupations Code to expand the entities through which the education requirements for a coronal polishing certificate may be completed to include a dental school or dental hygiene school that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association and approved by the State Board of Dental Examiners. The bill requires the board to adopt rules necessary to implement the bill's provisions as soon as practicable after the bill's effective date.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2015.

 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

 

While C.S.H.B. 2849 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

 

INTRODUCED

HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

SECTION 1.  Section 265.006(b), Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b)  To qualify for a coronal polishing certificate, an applicant must have at least two years' experience as a dental assistant and:

(1)  have successfully completed at least eight hours of clinical and didactic education in coronal polishing taken through a dental school, dental hygiene school, or dental assisting program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association and approved by the board, or a program offered by a Texas dental industry professional organization approved by the board.  The education must include [that includes] courses on:

(A)  oral anatomy and tooth morphology relating to retention of plaque and stain;

(B)  indications, contraindications, and complications of coronal polishing;

(C)  principles of coronal polishing, including armamentarium, operator and patient positioning, technique, and polishing agents;

(D)  infection control procedures;

(E)  polishing coronal surfaces of teeth; and

(F)  jurisprudence relating to coronal polishing; or

(2)  present proof to the board that the assistant has:

(A)  graduated from a dental assisting program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association and approved by the board that includes specific didactic course work and clinical training in coronal polishing; or

(B)  received certification of completion of requirements specified by the Dental Assisting National Board and approved by the board.

 

SECTION 1.  Section 265.006(b), Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b)  To qualify for a coronal polishing certificate, an applicant must have at least two years' experience as a dental assistant and:

(1)  have successfully completed at least eight hours of clinical and didactic education in coronal polishing taken through a dental school, dental hygiene school, or dental assisting program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association and approved by the board.

 

 The education must include [that includes] courses on:

 

(A)  oral anatomy and tooth morphology relating to retention of plaque and stain;

(B)  indications, contraindications, and complications of coronal polishing;

(C)  principles of coronal polishing, including armamentarium, operator and patient positioning, technique, and polishing agents;

(D)  infection control procedures;

(E)  polishing coronal surfaces of teeth; and

(F)  jurisprudence relating to coronal polishing; or

(2)  present proof to the board that the assistant has:

(A)  graduated from a dental assisting program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association and approved by the board that includes specific didactic course work and clinical training in coronal polishing; or

(B)  received certification of completion of requirements specified by the Dental Assisting National Board and approved by the board.

 

SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the State Board of Dental Examiners shall adopt rules necessary to implement Section 265.006(b), Occupations Code, as amended by this Act.

 

SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.

 

 

SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.

SECTION 3. Same as introduced version.