Sec. 43.003. DEFINITIONS. (a) In this chapter:

(1) "Dentist" means an individual licensed by the State Board of Dental Examiners to practice dentistry in this state.

(2) "Oral health services" means:

(A) preventive or treatment services affecting the structures of the mouth, including the hard and soft tissues such as teeth, jaws, gums, vestibule, tongue, cheeks, lips, floor and roof of the mouth, and adjacent masticatory structures; and

(B) oral health education and promotion activities.

(3) "Other benefit" means a benefit, other than a benefit provided under this chapter, to which an individual is entitled for the payment of the costs of oral health treatment services, including benefits available from:

(A) an insurance policy, group oral health plan, or prepaid oral care plan;

(B) Title XVIII or Title XIX of the Social Security Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1395 et seq. and 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396 et seq.);

(C) the United States Department of Veterans Affairs;

(D) the TRICARE program of the United States Department of Defense;

(E) workers' compensation or any other compulsory employer's insurance program;

(F) a public program created by federal law, state law, or the ordinances or rules of a municipality or other political subdivision of the state; or

(G) a cause of action for the expenses of dental or oral health treatment services, or a settlement or judgment based on the cause of action, if the expenses are related to the need for treatment services provided under this chapter.

(4) "Provider" means a person who, through a contract with the department, furnishes oral health treatment services that are purchased by the department for the purposes of this chapter.

(5) "Support" means to contribute money or services necessary for a person's maintenance, including food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and health care.

(b) The executive commissioner by rule may define a word or term not defined by Subsection (a) as necessary to administer this chapter. The executive commissioner may not define a word or term so that the word or term is inconsistent or in conflict with the purposes of this chapter.

Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.

Amended by:

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.0158, eff. April 2, 2015.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.0159, eff. April 2, 2015.