TxOHC E-brief

The State Board of Dental Examiners adopted the proposed rule changes published March 22, 2024, in the Texas Register.  

Per the TSBDE Newsletter, “at the May 2024 TSBDE meeting, the Board voted to adopt rule 115.10, which […] allows the administration of local infiltration anesthetic agent by a dental hygienist. The Board and staff would like to thank all of the licensees and stakeholders who provided input on this new rule. The rule is available for review here: Rule 115.10 Administration of Local Infiltration Anesthesia

Registered dental hygienists must obtain a Texas permit to administer local infiltration anesthesia in the state of Texas.  Please note that TSBDE staff will not accept applications until after September 1, 2024. The agency is in the process of updating its licensing database with a third-party vendor to include the local anesthesia permit information. TSBDE will notify licensees when the agency is ready to begin accepting applications and the information will be on the TSBDE website.”

The full list of adopted rules are as follows: 

• Rule 115.10 Administration of Local Infiltration Anesthesia
• Rule 114.7 Exemption from Licensure for Certain Military Service Members and Military Spouses (Dental Assistants)
• Rule 103.10 Exemption from Licensure for Certain Military Service Members and Military Spouses (Hygienists)
• Rule 101.14 Exemption from Licensure for Certain Military Service Members and Military Spouses (Dentists)
• Rule 101.6 Dental Licensing for Military Service Members, Military Veterans, and Military Spouses
• Rule 102.1 Fees
• Rule 114.5 Coronal Polishing

The May 2024 TSBDE Newsletter also includes information on Electronic Prescribing Waivers, a notice to Dental Hygiene educators on Local Infiltration Anesthesia, anesthesia rules and permit information for dentists, information on dental assistant radiology registration, and more. 

Read the full newsletter here.

The recent rule adoptions may also be found on the TSBDE website or in the May 17, 2024 Texas Register.

A MADRES study, Maternal Urinary Fluoride and Child Neurobehavior at Age 36 Months, published in JAMA on May 20, 2024 “analyzed the possible association between maternal urinary fluoride data from a small cohort and the reported behavior of their 3-year-old children.” (CDA)

The California Dental Association (CDA) wrote Fluoridation exposure misinformation spreads due to circulation of a flawed study on June 3, 2024, responding to the MADRES study, stating, “due to the study’s small scope and limitations, the impacts of fluoride exposure are being misrepresented. Read how organizations and publications have responded and find trusted resources to support discussions about the importance of community water fluoridation.”

The Campaign for Dental Health also published their response, Maternal Urinary Fluoride: Not a Valid Measure for Study’s Conclusion, on May 21, 2024, discussing the problem of convenience maternal urinary fluoride (MUF) samples as it pertains to the MADRES study.

Read both articles below.

• Fluoridation exposure misinformation spreads due to circulation of a flawed study (CDA)
• Maternal Urinary Fluoride: Not a Valid Measure for Study’s Conclusion (Campaign for Dental Health)

Community Water Fluoridation Advocacy

The Campaign for Dental published, Kansas Dentist on Advocacy: “It was my duty.” on June 4, 2024 detailing the advocacy of efforts of health professionals in Abilene, KS to reinstate fluoride in their community.  Dr. Beatrice Brittan, a local dentist who led advocacy efforts, “explains what motivated her to get involved.”

Read the full article here.

In April, “the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published final rules (CMS-2439-F) related to Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) managed care. The new final rules from CMS reflect the goals of two executive orders:

1. Executive Order 14009 from 2021 which required agency heads of departments with authorities and responsibilities related to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to review “all existing regulations, orders, guidance documents, policies, and any other similar agency actions” to determine if there were inconsistencies with ensuring high-quality health care that is accessible and affordable to every American enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP.
2. Executive Order 14070, from 2022 directed agencies to “review agency actions to identify ways to continue to expand the availability of affordable health coverage, to improve the quality of coverage, strengthen benefits, and help more Americans enroll in quality health coverage.” A part of the review process includes examining policies/practices that would, among other things, strengthen benefits and improve access to care. “

This final rule continues the article published in our last e-brief about final rule (CMS–2421–F2) to aid and streamline the application, eligibility, enrollment and renewal processes for Medicaid and CHIP.

Read the full text of CMS-2439-F here.

This spring the Texas legislature published the Interim charges for the 88th legislative session have been published.  

The interim charges for both the Senate and House may be found on TxOHC’s legislative update page.

Dr. Owens Attends Health Fair

TxOHC Treasurer, Dr. Sherdeana Owens, DDS, MPA participated in the Nueces County Community Action Agency’s health fair this past weekend and handed out Texas Tooth Steps brochures to pregnant and new parents. Dr. Owens was sponsored by the Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation. 

Oral Health Alert: Focus on Pregnancy

Articles

• An Assessment of Oral Health Training in Obstetrical Care in Massachusetts.
  Panda A, Silk H, Hayes C, Savageau JA. 2024. Maternal and Child Health Journal. DOI: 10.1007/s10995-024-03905-7. View abstract
• Association Between Dental Visits During Pregnancy and Setting for Prenatal Care.
  Byrappagari D, Cohn L, Sailor L, Clark S. 2024. Journal of Public Health Dentistry. DOI: 10.1111/jphd.12596. View abstract 
• Measuring Quality of Dental Care During Pregnancy.
  Herndon JB, Ojha D, Amundson C. 2024. Journal of the American Dental Association. DOI: 10.1016/j.adaj.2023.10.010. View abstract 

Materials and Other New Resources
Midwest Health Center Pioneers Integrated Oral Health Services (2024)
This blog post is part of HRSA’s Health Center Stories series.

Resources from the National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center (OHRC)

• Integrating Oral Health Evaluation into Prenatal Care: Considerations and Examples (2024)
• Oral Health Resource Bulletin: Volume 51. (2024)
• Promoting Oral Health During Pregnancy: Using PRAMS to Collect Population-Based Data (2024)
• Promoting Oral Health Literacy: A Resource Guide (2024)
• A Way with Words: Tips for Writing Easy-to-Understand Oral Health Materials (2024)

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