Section 801.002 - Definitions In this chapter:
(1) "Board" means the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.(1-a) "Certified veterinary assistant" means a person who has been certified as a certified veterinary assistant by the Texas Veterinary Medical Association and is employed by a licensed veterinarian.(2) "Compensation" includes a fee, monetary reward, discount, or emolument, whether received directly or indirectly.(3) "Direct supervision" means supervision of a person by a responsible veterinarian who is physically present on the premises.(3-a) "Equine dentistry" means any diagnosis, treatment, or surgical procedure performed on the head or oral cavity of an equine animal. The term includes:(A) any procedure that invades the tissues of the oral cavity, including a procedure to:(i) remove sharp enamel projections;(ii) treat malocclusions of the teeth;(iv) extract one or more teeth;(B) the treatment or extraction of damaged or diseased teeth;(C) the treatment of diseased teeth through restoration and endodontic procedures;(D) periodontal treatments, including: (i) the removal of calculus, soft deposits, plaque, and stains above the gum line; and(ii) the smoothing, filing, and polishing of tooth surfaces; and(4) "General supervision" means supervision of a person by a responsible veterinarian who is readily available to communicate with the person.(4-a) "Immediate supervision" means supervision by a person who is within audible and visual range of both the animal patient and the person under supervision.(4-b) "Licensed equine dental provider" means a person who holds a license to practice equine dentistry issued under this chapter.(4-c) "Licensed veterinary technician" means a person licensed as a veterinary technician by the board.(5) "Practice of veterinary medicine" means:(A) the diagnosis, treatment, correction, change, manipulation, relief, or prevention of animal disease, deformity, defect, injury, or other physical condition, including the prescription or administration of a drug, biologic, anesthetic, apparatus, or other therapeutic or diagnostic substance or technique;(B) the representation of an ability and willingness to perform an act listed in Paragraph (A);(C) the use of a title, a word, or letters to induce the belief that a person is legally authorized and qualified to perform an act listed in Paragraph (A); or(D) the receipt of compensation for performing an act listed in Paragraph (A).(6) "Veterinarian" means a person licensed by the board under this chapter to practice veterinary medicine.(6-a) "Veterinary assistant" means a person who:(A) is employed by a licensed veterinarian;(B) performs tasks related to animal care; and(C) is not a certified veterinary assistant or a licensed veterinary technician.(7) "Veterinary medicine" includes veterinary surgery, reproduction and obstetrics, dentistry, ophthalmology, dermatology, cardiology, and any other discipline or specialty of veterinary medicine.Amended by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg. - Regular Session, ch. 481,Sec. 1, eff. 9/1/2013.Amended By Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 940, Sec. 1, eff. 9/1/2011. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. 9/1/1999.