The Board requests stakeholder input on the following questions regarding a dental assistant’s scope of practice:
- Whether dental assistants can apply silver diamine fluoride (SDF)?
- Whether dental assistants can apply Curodont?
At the August 6, 2026, Dental Practice Committee meeting, the committee discussed whether dental assistants are allowed to apply SDF and Curodont. There was discussion during the meeting about whether board rules should be changed to specify that dental assistants are allowed to apply SDF and Curodont, and if so, whether the rules should have education and experience requirements. For example, one question that was posed during the meeting was whether a dental assistant who is educated and allowed to apply pit and fissure sealants, is safe enough to be allowed to apply SDF and Curodont. In other words, does a dental assistant who applies pit and fissure sealants have enough education and experience to also apply SDF and Curodont? A concern about SDF that was raised during the meeting is that SDF can discolor teeth, and therefore, is considered an irreversible procedure; however, board rules allow dental assistants to only perform procedures that are reversible.
Stakeholders can watch the committee meeting on the Board’s YouTube channel.
Stakeholders and members of the public may submit informal input until September 21, 2026, by mail to the Board’s General Counsel at 1801 Congress Avenue, Suite 8.600, Austin, Texas, 78701, by fax to (512) 649-2482, or by email to stakeholders@tsbde.texas.gov. Mailed comments should be received on or before September 21, 2026. Information regarding Board proceedings and the laws and rules related to dentistry are available at www.tsbde.texas.gov.
This solicitation of informal comments does not serve as an official comment period or rulemaking as required by Texas law or Board rules. Consideration of any rulemaking topics will occur at a future meeting of the Board held pursuant to Texas Government Code Chapter 551 (Texas Open Meetings Act), and all Board rulemakings will be conducted pursuant to Texas Government Code Chapter 2001 (Texas Administrative Procedure Act).