Tennessee Code Title 4. State Government § 4-6-112

(a) It is the duty of dentists appointed pursuant to § 4-6-110 to inspect at regular intervals the teeth of each inmate of the institutions specified in § 4-6-110, and to keep a record of the work necessary to be done on the teeth of each inmate for the protection and preservation of the health of the inmate. So much of the necessary work shall be done by the dentist as possible.

(b) Work that is not necessary for the protection and preservation of the health of an inmate shall not be done by such dentists.

(c) Preference shall at all times be given by such dentists to inmates who are being supported in the institutions specified in § 4-6-110 at the expense of the state or county.

(d) All other dental work except that set out in subsections (a)-(c) may be done by the dentist for inmates who are not being supported by the state or county, and the work done for any such paying inmate must be paid for by the inmate or by the person or persons paying for the support of such inmate in the institution, a reasonable charge to be made for such work and payment to be made to the superintendent who shall apply the same as other income of the institution is applied.

(e) Such dentists shall at no time do any work for any officer or employee of any of such institutions.