HBA-CMT H.B. 109 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 109
By: Flores
Public Health
2/20/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Dental sealants help prevent tooth decay and cavities by acting as a
barrier against bacteria that cause decay.  Further application of dental
sealants now can lead to lower dental costs later.  Under current law, only
dentists or dental hygienists are authorized to perform the cleaning
necessary to apply sealants.   

In 1998, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services identified a
shortage of dentists in 69 counties in Texas.  The Texas Senate Health
Committee projects that the need for dentists and dental hygienists and
their services will continue to grow.  Restricting the application of
sealants to these professions limits the number of children who can receive
them.  House Bill 109 permits dental assistants to perform root planing and
the smoothing and polishing of exposed human teeth and to apply sealants. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 109 amends the Occupations Code to delete root planing or the
smoothing and polishing of exposed human teeth from the list of acts that a
person not licensed as a dentist or dental hygienist  may not perform.  The
bill authorizes a licensed dentist to delegate the application of a pit and
fissure sealant to a qualified and trained dental assistant acting under
the dentist's direct supervision.  The bill authorizes a dental assistant
who is not professionally licensed to apply a pit and fissure sealant only
if the assistant has at least two years' experience as an assistant, has
completed any training required by the State Board of Dental Examiners
(board) for application of a sealant, and is certified by the board to
perform the act. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.