1. (a) The provision of all services is subject to the availability of funds.

2. (b) In order to conform to budgetary limitations, priority for services will be given to persons under the age of 19 years requiring emergency care. Providers are bound by the guidelines for participation as set forth in the State Fee For Service Dental Care Program Manual for Providers of Services. Providers may deliver more comprehensive oral health services to eligible recipients only with prior written approval of the regional dental director, or in his/her absence, the state dental director.

   1. (1) The department adopts by reference the department's document entitled State Fee For Service Dental Care Program Manual for Providers of Services.
   2. (2) A copy of the State Fee for Service Dental Care Program Manual for Providers of Services is indexed and filed in the Division of Oral Health, Texas Department of Health, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, and is available for public inspection during regular business hours.
3. (c) Occasionally, an individual cannot be treated in a dental office or will require special treatment for aesthetic reasons or to restore mastication. Examples include very young persons with rampant dental caries who must be treated under general anesthesia or children whose front teeth must be extracted and who need partials to prevent serious problems that could be caused by their edentulous appearance. The program allows for such services, subject to budgetary limitations. Approval of such services shall be determined on a case by case basis by the state dental director. The attending dentist or physician shall submit a special handling request form to the regional dental director, or in his/her absence, the regional director. This special handling request form includes a treatment plan, cost estimate of treatment, and a recommendation as to the special dental needs necessitating the request. The regional dental director, or in his/her absence, the regional director, will add a recommendation in the appropriate space before forwarding the request to the department for consideration. Payment will not be made for services provided prior to the state dental director's approval, subject to the exceptions in §49.9 of this title (relating to Emergency Selection of Providers).
4. (d) Program services are available in every public health region of the state. Program administration is carried out through the department's public health regions.

Source Note:The provisions of this §49.3 adopted to be effective September 9, 1986, 11 TexReg 3793; amended to be effective March 23, 2003, 28 TexReg 2327.