TITLE 22. EXAMINING BOARDS
PART 5. STATE BOARD OF DENTAL EXAMINERS
CHAPTER 101. DENTAL LICENSURE
22 TAC §101.2The State Board of Dental Examiners (Board) adopts this amendment to 22 TAC §101.2, pertaining to dental licensure by examination. The adopted rule reflects that CDCA-WREB-CITA (a dental exam administrator) and the American Board of Dental Examiners (developer of the ADEX licensure exams) have combined under a single entity: the American Board of Dental Examiners. The amendment is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 12, 2025, issue of the Texas Register (50 TexReg 7978) and will not be republished.
No comments were received regarding adoption of this rule.
This rule is adopted under Texas Occupations Code §254.001(a), which gives the Board authority to adopt rules necessary to perform its duties and ensure compliance with state laws relating to the practice of dentistry to protect the public health and safety.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 20, 2026.
TRD-202600827
Lauren Studdard
General Counsel
State Board of Dental Examiners
Effective date: March 12, 2026
Proposal publication date: December 12, 2025
For further information, please call: (737) 363-2333
22 TAC §101.6
The State Board of Dental Examiners (Board) adopts this amendment to 22 TAC §101.6, pertaining to dental licensing for military service members, military veterans, and military spouses. The purpose of the adoption is to implement House Bill 5629 and Senate Bill 1818, 89th Legislature, Regular Session (2025), which amended Texas Occupations Code Chapter 55, Licensing of Military Service Members, Military Veterans, and Military Spouses with the following changes: (1) defines good standing; (2) allows for alternative licensing if the applicant holds a current license issued by another state that is similar in scope of practice to the license in this state and is in good standing with that state's licensing authority; (3) requires the Board to issue a provisional license to the applicant while the Board processes the application or issue the license for which the applicant applied; (4) requires the Board to process an alternative licensing application within 10 business days; and (5) waives all fees. The adoption also corrects clerical errors. The amendment is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 12, 2025, issue of the Texas Register (50 TexReg 7979) and will not be republished.
No comments were received regarding adoption of this rule.
This rule is adopted under Texas Occupations Code §254.001(a), which gives the Board authority to adopt rules necessary to perform its duties and ensure compliance with state laws relating to the practice of dentistry to protect the public health and safety.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 20, 2026.
TRD-202600823
Lauren Studdard
General Counsel
State Board of Dental Examiners
Effective date: March 12, 2026
Proposal publication date: December 12, 2025
For further information, please call: (737) 363-2333
22 TAC §101.14
The State Board of Dental Examiners (Board) adopts this amendment to 22 TAC §101.14, pertaining to exemption from licensure for certain military service members and military spouses. The purpose of the adoption is to implement House Bill 5629 and Senate Bill 1818, 89th Legislature, Regular Session (2025), which amended Texas Occupations Code Chapter 55, Licensing of Military Service Members, Military Veterans, and Military Spouses with the following changes: (1) defines good standing; (2) removes the three-year limit to practice as long as the applicant is stationed at a military installation; (3) allows for an authorization to practice if the applicant holds a current license issued by another state that is similar in scope of practice to the license in this state and is in good standing with that state's licensing authority; and (4) requires the Board to process applications within 10 business days. The amendment is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 12, 2025, issue of the Texas Register (50 TexReg 7980) and will not be republished.
No comments were received regarding adoption of this rule.
This rule is adopted under Texas Occupations Code §254.001(a), which gives the Board authority to adopt rules necessary to perform its duties and ensure compliance with state laws relating to the practice of dentistry to protect the public health and safety.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 20, 2026.
TRD-202600822
Lauren Studdard
General Counsel
State Board of Dental Examiners
Effective date: March 12, 2026
Proposal publication date: December 12, 2025
For further information, please call: (737) 363-2333
CHAPTER 103. DENTAL HYGIENE LICENSURE
22 TAC §103.2The State Board of Dental Examiners (Board) adopts this amendment to 22 TAC §103.2, pertaining to dental hygiene licensure by examination. The adopted rule reflects that CDCA-WREB-CITA (a dental exam administrator) and the American Board of Dental Examiners (developer of the ADEX licensure exams) have combined under a single entity: the American Board of Dental Examiners. The adopted rule also corrects a grammatical error. The amendment is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 12, 2025, issue of the Texas Register (50 TexReg 7982) and will not be republished.
No comments were received regarding adoption of this rule.
This rule is adopted under Texas Occupations Code §254.001(a), which gives the Board authority to adopt rules necessary to perform its duties and ensure compliance with state laws relating to the practice of dentistry to protect the public health and safety.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 20, 2026.
TRD-202600826
Lauren Studdard
General Counsel
State Board of Dental Examiners
Effective date: March 12, 2026
Proposal publication date: December 12, 2025
For further information, please call: (737) 363-2333
22 TAC §103.10
The State Board of Dental Examiners (Board) adopts this amendment to 22 TAC §103.10, pertaining to exemption from dental hygiene licensure for certain military service members and military spouses. The purpose of the adoption is to implement House Bill 5629 and Senate Bill 1818, 89th Legislature, Regular Session (2025), which amended Texas Occupations Code Chapter 55, Licensing of Military Service Members, Military Veterans, and Military Spouses with the following changes: (1) defines good standing; (2) removes the three-year limit to practice as long as the applicant is stationed at a military installation; (3) allows for an authorization to practice if the applicant holds a current license issued by another state that is similar in scope of practice to the license in this state and is in good standing with that state's licensing authority; and (4) requires the Board to process applications within 10 business days.
The amendment is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 12, 2025, issue of the Texas Register (50 TexReg 7983) and will not be republished.
No comments were received regarding adoption of this rule.
This rule is adopted under Texas Occupations Code §254.001(a), which gives the Board authority to adopt rules necessary to perform its duties and ensure compliance with state laws relating to the practice of dentistry to protect the public health and safety.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 20, 2026.
TRD-202600821
Lauren Studdard
General Counsel
State Board of Dental Examiners
Effective date: March 12, 2026
Proposal publication date: December 12, 2025
For further information, please call: (737) 363-2333
CHAPTER 104. CONTINUING EDUCATION
22 TAC §104.1The State Board of Dental Examiners (Board) adopts this amendment to 22 TAC §104.1, pertaining to continuing education requirements. The adopted rule reflects that CDCA-WREB-CITA (a dental exam administrator) and the American Board of Dental Examiners (developer of the ADEX licensure exams) have combined under a single entity: the American Board of Dental Examiners. The amendment is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 12, 2025, issue of the Texas Register (50 TexReg 7984) and will not be republished.
No comments were received regarding adoption of this rule.
This rule is adopted under Texas Occupations Code §254.001(a), which gives the Board authority to adopt rules necessary to perform its duties and ensure compliance with state laws relating to the practice of dentistry to protect the public health and safety.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 20, 2026.
TRD-202600825
Lauren Studdard
General Counsel
State Board of Dental Examiners
Effective date: March 12, 2026
Proposal publication date: December 12, 2025
For further information, please call: (737) 363-2333
22 TAC §104.2
The State Board of Dental Examiners (Board) adopts this amendment to 22 TAC §104.2, pertaining to continuing education providers. The adopted rule reflects that CDCA-WREB-CITA (a dental exam administrator) and the American Board of Dental Examiners (developer of the ADEX licensure exams) have combined under a single entity: the American Board of Dental Examiners. The amendment is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 12, 2025, issue of the Texas Register (50 TexReg 7986) and will not be republished.
No comments were received regarding adoption of this rule.
This rule is adopted under Texas Occupations Code §254.001(a), which gives the Board authority to adopt rules necessary to perform its duties and ensure compliance with state laws relating to the practice of dentistry to protect the public health and safety.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 20, 2026.
TRD-202600824
Lauren Studdard
General Counsel
State Board of Dental Examiners
Effective date: March 12, 2026
Proposal publication date: December 12, 2025
For further information, please call: (737) 363-2333
CHAPTER 114. EXTENSION OF DUTIES OF AUXILIARY PERSONNEL--DENTAL ASSISTANTS
22 TAC §114.2The State Board of Dental Examiners (Board) adopts this amendment to 22 TAC §114.2, pertaining to registration of dental assistants. The amendment is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 12, 2025, issue of the Texas Register (50 TexReg 7987) and will not be republished. The adopted amendment: (1) specifies that applications for registration or for renewal of registration must be submitted online; (2) specifies that dental assistants can obtain a duplicate registration from their online account; (3) removes language pertaining to the Dental Assistant Advisory Committee because the committee no longer exists; (4) updates the language to reflect that a student who takes a dental assistant radiology course should be able to demonstrate concepts for both film and digital x-rays; and (5) updates the language to reflect that technology has replaced film x-rays with digital x-rays, although the Board notes that film x-rays are still being used in the dental profession.
The Texas Academy of General Dentistry (TAGD) submitted a written comment in support of adoption of the rule as proposed. No changes to this rule were made as a result of the comment.
This rule is adopted under Texas Occupations Code §254.001(a), which gives the Board authority to adopt rules necessary to perform its duties and ensure compliance with state laws relating to the practice of dentistry to protect the public health and safety.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 20, 2026.
TRD-202600830
Lauren Studdard
General Counsel
State Board of Dental Examiners
Effective date: March 12, 2026
Proposal publication date: December 12, 2025
For further information, please call: (737) 363-2333
22 TAC §114.3
The State Board of Dental Examiners (Board) adopts this amendment to 22 TAC §114.3, pertaining to dental assistants applying pit and fissure sealants. The amendment is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 12, 2025, issue of the Texas Register (50 TexReg 7991) and will not be republished. This rule was recently reviewed in accordance with the Board's rule review plan. As a result of the review, the Board adopts changes that correct punctuation and typo errors.
The Texas Academy of General Dentistry (TAGD) submitted a written comment in support of adoption of the rule as proposed. No changes to this rule were made as a result of the comment.
This rule is adopted under Texas Occupations Code §254.001(a), which gives the Board authority to adopt rules necessary to perform its duties and ensure compliance with state laws relating to the practice of dentistry to protect the public health and safety.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 20, 2026.
TRD-202600829
Lauren Studdard
General Counsel
State Board of Dental Examiners
Effective date: March 12, 2026
Proposal publication date: December 12, 2025
For further information, please call: (737) 363-2333
22 TAC §114.7
The State Board of Dental Examiners (Board) adopts this amendment to 22 TAC §114.7, pertaining to exemption from registration for certain military service members and military spouses. The purpose of the adoption is to implement House Bill 5629 and Senate Bill 1818, 89th Legislature, Regular Session (2025), which amended Texas Occupations Code Chapter 55, Licensing of Military Service Members, Military Veterans, and Military Spouses with the following changes: (1) defines good standing; (2) removes the three-year limit to practice as long as the applicant is stationed at a military installation; (3) allows for an authorization to practice if the applicant holds a current registration issued by another state that is similar in scope of practice to the registration in this state and is in good standing with that state's licensing authority; and (4) requires the Board to process applications within 10 business days. The adoption also clarifies that a registration is issued to dental assistants, not a license.
The amendment is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 12, 2025, issue of the Texas Register (50 TexReg 7992) and will not be republished.
No comments were received regarding adoption of this rule.
This rule is adopted under Texas Occupations Code §254.001(a), which gives the Board authority to adopt rules necessary to perform its duties and ensure compliance with state laws relating to the practice of dentistry to protect the public health and safety.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 20, 2026.
TRD-202600820
Lauren Studdard
General Counsel
State Board of Dental Examiners
Effective date: March 12, 2026
Proposal publication date: December 12, 2025
For further information, please call: (737) 363-2333
CHAPTER 115. EXTENSION OF DUTIES OF AUXILIARY PERSONNEL--DENTAL HYGIENE
22 TAC §115.4The State Board of Dental Examiners (Board) adopts this amendment to 22 TAC §115.4, pertaining to placement of site specific subgingival medicaments. The adopted rule simply updates the applicable section of the Texas Occupations Code pertaining to the practice of dental hygiene and a hygienist being able to topically apply drugs. The amendment is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 12, 2025, issue of the Texas Register (50 TexReg 7993) and will not be republished.
No comments were received regarding adoption of this rule.
This rule is adopted under Texas Occupations Code §254.001(a), which gives the Board authority to adopt rules necessary to perform its duties and ensure compliance with state laws relating to the practice of dentistry to protect the public health and safety.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 20, 2026.
TRD-202600828
Lauren Studdard
General Counsel
State Board of Dental Examiners
Effective date: March 12, 2026
Proposal publication date: December 12, 2025
For further information, please call: (737) 363-2333