HBA-CMT H.B. 411 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 411
By: Maxey
Public Health
3/8/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

According to the Centers for Disease Control, one of the most common
infectious diseases among  children is tooth decay.  Oral diseases are
progressive and cumulative, and become more complex over time.  They can
affect a person's appearance, ability to eat foods, and the way the person
communicates.  House Bill 411 amends the scope of practice for hygienists
to allow a licensed dentist to delegate to a trained dental assistant the
application of sealants, and also allows a dentist to send a hygienist to a
public clinic, group home, public school, or long-term care facility to
perform preventative oral care procedures and screening. 

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 411 amends the Occupations Code relating to the delegation of
certain acts by dentists.  The bill authorizes a licensed dentist who is a
Medicaid provider to delegate to a qualified and trained dental assistant
acting under the dentist's direct supervision the application of a pit and
fissure sealant and root planing or the smoothing and polishing of exposed
teeth.  The bill authorizes a licensed dentist to delegate a service, task,
or procedure, including the application of a pit and fissure sealant, to a
dental hygienist without complying with supervisory requirements if the
hygienist has at least two years' experience in the practice of dental
hygiene, and the service, task, or procedure is performed in a facility
serving an underserved population.  The patient must be referred to a
licensed dentist after the completion of a service, task, or procedure
performed by a hygienist.  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, and is
certified 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.