Section 257.005 - Continuing Education for Dentist and Dental Hygienist(a) The board shall develop a mandatory continuing education program for licensed dentists and dental hygienists. The board by rule shall establish the minimum number of hours of continuing education a license holder is required to complete for each registration period to renew the license for a subsequent registration period.(b) The board may: (1) assess the continuing education needs of license holders; and(2) require license holders to attend continuing education courses specified by the board.(b-1) The board shall require a licensed dentist whose practice includes direct patient care to complete not less than two hours of board-approved continuing education annually regarding safe and effective pain management related to the prescription of opioids and other controlled substances, including education regarding:(1) reasonable standards of care;(2) the identification of drug-seeking behavior in patients; and(3) effectively communicating with patients regarding the prescription of an opioid or other controlled substance.(c) The board by rule shall:(1) identify the key factors required for competent performance of professional duties under this subtitle;(2) develop a process to evaluate and approve continuing education courses; and(3) develop a process to assess a license holder's participation and performance in continuing education courses to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the program.Amended by Acts 2019, Texas Acts of the 86th Leg.- Regular Session, ch. 818,Sec. 3, eff. 9/1/2019.Amended by Acts 2017, Texas Acts of the 85th Leg. - Regular Session, ch. 295,Sec. 17, eff. 9/1/2017.Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 14.079(d), eff. 9/1/2001. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. 9/1/1999.