SECTION 116.4. Requirements

(a) The following procedures, performed in relation to permitted dental laboratory services described in Occupations Code, §266.001, and pursuant to a written prescription from a licensed dentist, may be undertaken by a registered dental laboratory:

(1) Shade taking. Dental laboratories providing this service shall institute and maintain infection control procedures for in-laboratory shade verification to protect the patient and laboratory staff from infectious contamination. Each laboratory shall:

(A) Dedicate a specific area of the laboratory for performance of shade verification procedures.

(B) Maintain the area used for shade verification in a neat, clean, and clutter-free state at all times.

(C) Disinfect areas of patient contact both before and after each patient.

(D) Provide a dedicated set of shade guides to be used only for patient shade verification, and disinfect shade guides before and after each use.

(E) Provide a patient hand mirror for extraoral use, and disinfect the mirror before and after each patient's use.

(F) Use a disinfecting agent for cleaning shade guides that are accidentally dropped.

(G) Require that the technicians taking the shade wear protective clothing, including gloves.

(2) Computer imaging pertaining to the oral cavity by a registered laboratory. Computer imaging may be performed only when authorized by a written prescription from a licensed dentist. The result should be furnished to that dentist, accompanied by a disclaimer to the patient that computer imaging is an artistic interpretation and does not guarantee exact results.

(b) A dental laboratory shall furnish each licensed dentist from whom prescriptions are accepted with its permanent registration number and the expiration date of such registration, and shall maintain for a period of two years any work orders of any laboratory with which it contracts services. Each work order shall reflect the Texas registration number and registration expiration date of the contracted laboratory.

(c) No work may be outsourced, except to a dental laboratory registered under this chapter.

(d) A person owning or operating a laboratory in the State of Texas must maintain the entire laboratory in a clean and sanitary condition without any accumulation of trash, debris, or filth, and such premises shall be maintained in full compliance with all health requirements of the city or county, or both, in which such a laboratory is located and in conformity with the health laws of the State of Texas.

Source Note: The provisions of this §116.4 adopted to be effective May 10, 2004, 29 TexReg 4484