TSBDE Rule Update
This recurring section is designed to help TDA members keep up with important Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) rules, other regulations, and state law affecting their practices.
Dental Treatment of Sleep Disorders
EDITORIAL STAFF Nicole Scott, Managing Editor Barb Donovan, Art Director Paul H. Schlesinger, Consultant
During its February 28, 2014, meeting, the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) withdrew the second draft of a new rule governing the dental treatment of sleep disorders and voted to publish a third rule version in the Texas Register for 30-day public comment. The third version of the new rule was published in the March 28, 2014, issue of the Texas Register.
Board of Directors David A. Duncan, DDS, DDS, President David H. McCarley, DDS , President-elect Michael L. Stuart, DDS, Immediate Past President Vice Presidents Jean E. Bainbridge, DDS, Northeast Gregory K. Oelfke, DDS, Southeast Yvonne E. Maldonado, DDS, Southwest David C. Woodburn, DDS, Northwest Senior Directors Jerry J. Hopson, DDS, Northeast William S. Nantz , DDS, Southeast Joshua A. Austin, DDS, Southwest Steven J. Hill, DDS, Northwest Directors William H. Gerlach, DDS, Northeast Karen A. Walters , DDS, Southeast John B. Mason, DDS, Southwest Charles W. Miller, DDS, Northwest
The TDA Council on Dental Education, Trade & Ancillaries is reviewing the third draft of the new rule and is preparing a comment letter for the TDA Board of Directors to approve and submit to the TSBDE during the rule comment period. The TDA submitted comment letters to the previous rule drafts in June 2013 and October 2013. Upon final adoption by the TSBDE, this new rule will define the scope of practice of a dentist in the treatment of sleep disorders. The information in this TSBDE Update came from 22 Texas Administrative Code §108.12— Dental Treatment of Sleep Disorders. For more information, please contact TDA Policy Manager Diane Rhodes at 512-443-3675, diane@tda.org.
Microsoft W i n d o w s
HIPAA Update: Microsoft Discontinues Support for Windows XP
X P
Microsoft discontinued its technical support for Windows XP as of April 8, which could put dental practices still using the operating system at increased risk of serious HIPAA security problems. Security updates that help protect personal computers against newly discovered vulnerabilities will no longer be provided for Windows XP as of that date. According to Microsoft, “Unsupported and unpatched environments are vulnerable to security risks. This may result in an officially recognized control failure by an internal or external audit body, leading to suspension of certifications, and/or public notification of the organization’s inability to maintain its systems and customer information.” Although the HIPAA Security Rule does not specifically require the use of operating systems that are manufacturersupported and continuing to use Windows XP after April 8 is not a HIPAA violation, it is advisable for dentist covered entities in this situation to review and revise their HIPAA Security risk assessment and reinforce security measures. The written risk assessment includes acknowledging the security vulnerability, documenting the plan being put into place to address the vulnerability, and detailing a migration path to a supported operating system within a suitable timetable. Ignoring the increased risks posed by an unsupported operating system and refusing to even try to do an analysis of the situation is inviting trouble. The HIPAA Security rule requires dentists to address risks that occur over time by updating the office’s risk analysis.
APRIL 2014
Ron Collins, DDS, Secretary-Treasurer John W. Baucum III DDS, Speaker of the House Michael D. Vaclav, DDS, Parliamentarian Michael L. Stuart, DDS, Interim Executive Director William H. Bingham, Legal Counsel
VOLUME 15, ISSUE 4
TDA Today (USPS 022-007) is published monthly except for December by the Texas Dental Association, 1946 S IH-35 Ste 400, Austin, Texas 78704-3698, 512-443-3675. Periodicals Postage Paid at Austin, Texas and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to TDA TODAY, 1946 S IH-35 Ste 400, Austin, TX 78704-3698. Copyright 2014 Texas Dental Association. All rights reserved. Annual subscriptions: Texas Dental Association (TDA) members, $5. In-state American Dental Association (ADA) affiliated, $15 + tax. Out-of-state ADA affiliated, $15. In-state non-ADA affiliated, $30 + tax. Out-of-state non-ADA affiliated, $30. Single issue price: TDA members $1. In-state ADA affiliated, $3 + tax. Out-of-state ADA affiliated, $3. In-state non-ADA affiliated, $6 + tax. Out-of-state non-ADA affiliated, $6. Contributions: Manuscripts and news items of interest to the membership of the Association are solicited. Manuscripts should be typewritten, double spaced, and the original copy should be submitted. Please refer to Instructions for Contributors in the annual September Directory of the Texas Dental Journal for more information. The Information for Contributors is available at tda.org. All statements of opinion and of supposed facts are published on authority of the writer under whose name they appear and are not to be regarded as the views of the Texas Dental Association, unless such statements have been adopted by the Association. Articles are accepted with the understanding that they have not been published previously. Authors must disclose any financial or other interests they may have in products or services described in their articles. Advertisements: Publication of advertisements in this publication does not constitute a guarantee or endorsement by the Association of the quality of value of such product or of the claims made of it by its manufacturer.
AVAILABLE ON TDA.ORG
FOR
2014 BOOTH 243 TDA members have access to special discounted pricing on all Sonicare products and significant discounts on
Philips Zoom! teeth-whitening products.
BOOTH 247 TDA members receive a 10% discount on Sedation Resource’s extensive line of reasonably-priced sedation supplies, and year-round discounts on equipment.
BOOTH 263 Health, business, specialized, and personal-lines insurance products designed to meet your needs today and into the future.
More at: tdaperks.com Questions? Call: 512-443-3675.