# 22 Tex. Admin. Code § 108.5: 22 TAC § 108.5. Patient Abandonment

> Texas · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T22_P5_C108_S108_5

## Section

- **Citation:** 22 Tex. Admin. Code § 108.5
- **Heading:** 22 TAC § 108.5. Patient Abandonment
- **Jurisdiction:** Texas
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Texas Administrative Code / Title 22 EXAMINING BOARDS / Part 5 STATE BOARD OF DENTAL EXAMINERS / Chapter 108 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT / 22 TAC § 108.5

## Text

(a) A dentist, without reasonable cause, shall not abandon
 a dental patient. Once a dentist has undertaken a course of treatment, the
 dentist, absent reasonable cause, shall not discontinue that treatment without
 giving the patient adequate notice and the opportunity to obtain the services
 of another dentist. A dentist shall exercise the level of care necessary to
 prevent jeopardizing the patient's oral health during this process.
(b) Under this section, a dentist shall give a minimum of 30
 days written notice of his/her intent to discontinue undertaken treatment.
 Notice shall be either hand-delivered to the patient or sent via certified
 mail, return receipt requested to the patient's last known address, with the
 dentist retaining a copy of the notice letter in the patient's file along
 with proof of service. Adequate notice shall include the following:
(1) 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) a short description of the patient's present and future
 needs;
(3) an explanation regarding the consequences of non-treatment;
(4) a recommendation that the patient continue care with another
 dentist; and
(5) a clear statement emphasizing that the dentist is available
 to provide any emergency treatment necessary to prevent patient harm during
 the 30-day period.
(c) A dentist shall remain reasonably available to render any
 emergency treatment necessary under (b)(5) of this section for up to 30 days
 from the date of such notice.

## Nearby sections

- [22 Tex. Admin. Code § 108.1 22 TAC § 108.1. Professional Responsibility](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T22_P5_C108_S108_1.md)
- [22 Tex. Admin. Code § 108.2 22 TAC § 108.2. Fair Dealing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T22_P5_C108_S108_2.md)
- [22 Tex. Admin. Code § 108.3 22 TAC § 108.3. Consumer Information](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T22_P5_C108_S108_3.md)
- [22 Tex. Admin. Code § 108.4 22 TAC § 108.4. Names of Dentists](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T22_P5_C108_S108_4.md)
- [22 Tex. Admin. Code § 108.5 22 TAC § 108.5. Patient Abandonment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T22_P5_C108_S108_5.md)
- [22 Tex. Admin. Code § 108.6 22 TAC § 108.6. Report of Patient Death or Injury Requiring Hospitalization](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T22_P5_C108_S108_6.md)
- [22 Tex. Admin. Code § 108.7 22 TAC § 108.7. Minimum Standard of Care, General](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T22_P5_C108_S108_7.md)
- [22 Tex. Admin. Code § 108.8 22 TAC § 108.8. Records of the Dentist](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T22_P5_C108_S108_8.md)
- [22 Tex. Admin. Code § 108.9 22 TAC § 108.9. Dishonorable Conduct](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T22_P5_C108_S108_9.md)
- [22 Tex. Admin. Code § 108.10 22 TAC § 108.10. Notification of Change of Information](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T22_P5_C108_S108_10.md)
- [22 Tex. Admin. Code § 108.11 22 TAC § 108.11. Display of Registration](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T22_P5_C108_S108_11.md)
- [22 Tex. Admin. Code § 108.12 22 TAC § 108.12. Dental Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T22_P5_C108_S108_12.md)
- [22 Tex. Admin. Code § 108.13 22 TAC § 108.13. Practice of Dentistry on Certain Children](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T22_P5_C108_S108_13.md)
- [22 Tex. Admin. Code § 108.14 22 TAC § 108.14. Pediatric and Special Needs Case Management; Protective Stabilization](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T22_P5_C108_S108_14.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T22_P5_C108_S108_5. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.