Sec. 258.156.  INSPECTIONS.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (h), the board may conduct inspections of a dentist who applies for or holds a permit issued under this subchapter as necessary to enforce this subchapter, including inspections of an office site, equipment, a facility, and any document of the dentist.  During an inspection under this section, the board may evaluate a dentist's competency in the administration of anesthesia.
(b)  The board shall conduct an inspection with respect to a dentist who holds a level 2, level 3, or level 4 permit not later than the first anniversary of the date the permit is issued.
(c)  The board by rule shall adopt a risk-based inspection policy for conducting inspections under this section.  The policy must require the board to take into consideration any previous disciplinary action taken against a permit holder for an anesthesia-related violation when determining whether an inspection is necessary.
(d)  The board may contract with another state agency or qualified person to conduct these inspections.
(e)  The board is not required to give notice before conducting an inspection under this section.
(f)  The board shall maintain records of inspections conducted under this section.
(g)  The board by rule may establish education and training requirements for inspectors who conduct inspections under this section.
(h)  The board may not conduct an inspection under this section with respect to a dentist who administers anesthesia exclusively in a state-licensed hospital or state-licensed ambulatory surgical center.  The board may by rule except from inspection under this section a dentist who administers anesthesia exclusively in any other facility that is subject to inspection by the Department of State Health Services or an accrediting body under state law.  The board retains all other authority provided by this subtitle over a dentist described by this subsection.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 349, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Amended by: 
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 295 (S.B. 313), Sec. 25, eff. March 1, 2018.