A dentist shall not abandon a dental patient he/she has undertaken to treat.

1. (1) to terminate a dentist-patient relationship, a dentist shall give a minimum of 30 days written notice of his/her intent to discontinue treatment. This notice shall be either hand-delivered to the patient or sent via certified mail, return receipt requested to the patient's last known address. A dentist shall retain a copy of the notice letter in the patient's file.

2. (2) to constitute proper written notice, a dentist shall include the following:

   1. (A) a short description of the patient's current status, including the patient's current diagnosis and a summary of the patient's current treatment plan;
   2. (B) a short description of the patient's present and future dental needs;
   3. (C) an explanation regarding the consequences of non-treatment;
   4. (D) a recommendation that the patient continue care with another dentist; and
   5. (E) a clear statement emphasizing that the dentist is available to provide any treatment necessary to prevent patient harm, including emergency treatment that the patient may require during the 30-day period.
3. (3) a dentist shall continue to render appropriate care for at least 30 days from when the requisite written notice of a dentist's intent to terminate was mailed.

Source Note:The provisions of this §108.5 adopted to be effective February 20, 2001, 26 TexReg 1494.