SECTION 100.7. Standing Committees of the Board

(a) Creation and dissolution. The board, through rule, may establish standing committees as it deems necessary. Standing committees and appointments to standing committees shall be reviewed at least annually by the board's presiding officer to determine whether there is a continuing need for the existence of a standing committee or for a board member's appointment to a standing committee.

(b) Membership. The presiding officer of the board shall appoint members of the board to serve on standing committees. An appointment to a standing committee shall be made for a term of two years but may be terminated at any point by the presiding officer. Committee members may be re-appointed or replaced at the discretion of the presiding officer. At least one dentist member of the board and at least one non-dentist member of the board shall serve on each standing committee. The board's presiding officer shall be an ex-officio member of each standing committee.

(c) Chair. The presiding officer shall designate one member of each standing committee to serve as chair of the standing committee. No board member shall serve as chair of more than one standing committee at a time.

(d) Meetings and Participation. Each board member shall serve on at least one and no more than three standing committees, or two standing committees and the executive committee, except the presiding officer who is an ex-officio member of all standing committees.

(e) Open Meetings Act. Standing committee meetings shall be open to the public and held in compliance with chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code.

(f) Committee actions. The actions of standing committees are recommendations only and are not binding until ratification by the board at a regularly scheduled meeting, with the exception of permits approved by the Anesthesia Committee.

(g) The following are standing committees of the board. The responsibilities and authority of these committees shall include the duties and powers described below and other responsibilities and charges that the board may delegate to these committees.

(1) Anesthesia Committee.

(A) review applications for level 3 and level 4 sedation/anesthesia permits and sedation/anesthesia portability permits, and make recommendations to the board concerning any proposed denial of a permit;

(B) study and make recommendations to the board concerning the administration of sedation/anesthesia in dental treatment; including but not limited to permitting, regulation, and/or discipline of sedation/anesthesia permit holders, applicants, or other licensees;

(C) study and make recommendations to the board concerning board rules regarding or affecting the administration of sedation/anesthesia in dental treatment; and

(D) study and make recommendations to the board concerning any other issue brought to the attention of the committee.

(2) Dental Practice Committee.

(A) study and make recommendations to the board regarding board rules, policies, or other actions pertaining to the standard of care in the practice of dentistry;

(B) study and make recommendations to the board regarding issues concerning or referred by the Dental Hygiene Advisory Committee or the Dental Lab Certification Council; and

(C) study and make recommendations to the board concerning ethical issues related to the practice of dentistry.

(3) Disciplinary Review Committee.

(A) oversee the taking of public action by the board, including disciplinary and remedial action, and give guidance to the board and agency staff regarding improvements of the disciplinary process and effective enforcement of the Act and board rules;

(B) monitor the effectiveness, appropriateness, and timeliness of the disciplinary process and enforcement of the Act and board rules;

(C) make recommendations regarding rules and policies to guide agency staff and the board in their determination of appropriate action on violations of the Act and board rules;

(D) make recommendations regarding resolution and disposition of specific cases;

(E) make recommendations regarding the dismissals of complaints and closure of investigations;

(F) make recommendations regarding the modification of prior actions of the board; and

(G) make recommendations to agency staff and the board regarding policies, priorities, budget, and other matters related to the disciplinary process.

(4) Licensing Committee.

(A) review applications for licensure and permits, make determinations of eligibility and report to the board its recommendations as provided by the Dental Practice and board rules;

(B) review board rules regarding licensure and make recommendations to the board regarding changes or implementation of such rules;

(C) evaluate and approve remediation plans;

(D) evaluate each examination accepted by the board;

(E) investigate and report to the board any problems in the administration of examinations and recommend and implement ways of correcting identified problems;

(F) make recommendations to the board regarding postgraduate training permits and issues concerning dentists in training;

(G) maintain communication with Texas dental schools;

(H) study and make recommendations to the board regarding maintenance of licensure requirements, including continuing education requirements, courses, and course providers;

(I) develop and review board rules regarding all persons and entities subject to the Board's jurisdiction, and make recommendations to the board regarding changes or implementation of such rules;

(J) make recommendations to the board regarding matters brought to the attention of the licensing committee.

Source Note: The provisions of this §100.7 adopted to be effective September 6, 2016, 41 TexReg 6692