Board committee adopts rule changes and opens stakeholder dialogue on AI, lasers and patient‑notification

The Dental Practice Committee advanced a series of rule proposals and adoptions on May 7. Staff recommended and the committee adopted proposed amendments intended to implement House Bill 4070 (rules 108.2, 108.7 and 108.8) and to update other chapters (117, 119, 125). The committee also adopted an amendment to rule 114.12 that allows registered dental assistants (RDAs) to complete required continuing education via online formats; public comment from Sharon Dickinson (Texas Dental Assisting Association) emphasized keeping hands‑on clinical training in place for skills such as CPR and sealants.

On policy issues the committee discussed Senate Bill 1888 (electronic health records and AI disclosure). Staff summarized requirements including EHR storage location (U.S. territory), an added sex‑at‑birth field, patient access to minors’ records, bans on non‑health data and a requirement to disclose AI used in diagnosis. Members asked for guidance and stakeholder input; staff will circulate a newsletter notice and stakeholder request.

The committee also held an extensive discussion on laser scope and practice for hygienists (12 hours of in‑person training historically required). Topics included whether to clarify the rule to emphasize diode lasers, whether hygiene supervision should be general rather than direct and how to address inconsistent training providers; staff will issue a stakeholder feedback notice prior to the August meeting. On patient‑notification (abandonment) rules members favored issuing a stakeholder notice proposing encrypted email or secure patient‑portal notices instead of mandatory certified mail and suggested splitting ‘moving/transfer’ issues from abandonment/records duties for clarity.