New Mexico Creates Dental Therapy Task Force
The creation of a dental therapy task force has been authorized in New Mexico to investigate the possibility of introducing mid-level oral health practitioner legislation during the 2016 legislative session.
The creation of a dental therapy task force has been authorized in New Mexico to investigate the possibility of introducing mid-level oral health practitioner legislation during the 2016 legislative session. To help prepare for this task force, American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) Director of Governmental Affairs Ann Lynch routinely traveled to New Mexico to meet with the state’s dental hygiene association to assist in its efforts to increase access to care across the state.
Many states are investigating the mid-level provider model, the creation of which expands access to professional oral health care services and provides dental hygienists with increased career opportunities upon completion of additional education. Lynch and members of the New Mexico Dental Hygienists’ Association testified on the need for midlevel oral health practitioners to both House and Senate committees, highlighting the importance of this expanded role in order to improve the general public’s oral and systemic health. The bill to implement the task force passed the House with a 34-25 vote, and the newly created group is scheduled to meet monthly beginning in June.
Dental hygienists who are interested in advocating for their state’s innovative workforce models are encouraged to stay abreast of ongoing legislation by visiting the ADHA advocacy page at: adha.org/advocacy.
From Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. May 2015;13(5):14–15.
