The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) unanimously voted to adopt a new COVID-19 emergency rule. The rule is effective as of August 25, 2020, and remains in effect until December 23, 2020, unless Governor Abbott’s  COVID-19 disaster declaration is terminated.

TDA’s successfully advocacy helped ensure that dentists can continue effectively treating patients during the pandemic. Highlights of the new emergency rule include:

• Allowing dentists to manage patient workflow according to their independent professional judgment and no longer require dental health care personnel
• (DHCP) to complete the full treatment of one patient before leaving the treatment area and moving on to another patient;
• Allowing DHCP to use high-speed instruments (eg, cavitron) for hygiene services; and
• Allowing DHCP to remove PPE, without needing to also change from scrubs, before returning home. 

Your TDA membership is essential to maintaining TDA’s strong advocacy at the TSBDE and the Capitol. Share this success with your dentist colleagues that are not TDA members and let them know what they are missing. If you are not a TDA member, you may miss important information that you need to legally practice dentistry in Texas.