A licensed dentist may delegate certain dental acts to a qualified, trained dental assistant under supervision, but only if the listed conditions are met.
Sec. 258.002. DELEGATION TO DENTAL ASSISTANT. (a) A licensed dentist may delegate to a qualified and trained dental assistant acting under the dentist's general or direct supervision any dental act that a reasonable and prudent dentist would find is within the scope of sound dental judgment to delegate if: (1) in the opinion of the delegating dentist, the act: (A) can be properly and safely performed by the person to whom the dental act is delegated; and (B) is performed in a customary manner and is not in violation of this subtitle or any other statute; (2) the person to whom the dental act is delegated does not represent to the public that the person is authorized to practice dentistry; and (3) the person to whom the dental act is delegated is registered under Chapter 265, if registration is required to perform the act. (b) Repealed by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 476, Sec. 8(1), eff. September 1, 2009. (c) The board by rule shall establish guidelines regarding the types of dental acts that may be properly or safely delegated by a dentist, including a determination of which delegated dental acts, if any, require competency testing before a person may perform the act. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1470, Sec. 4.01, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1144, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 476 (S.B. 455), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009. Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 476 (S.B. 455), Sec. 8(1), eff. September 1, 2009. Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 295 (S.B. 313), Sec. 18, eff. September 1, 2018.