New Mexico Dental Hygienists' Association

For more information on these articles, email Barbara Posler.

Fluoride Bill Signed into Law!

The New Mexico Dental Hygienists' Association is pleased to report that SB805, which proposes to amend the State Dental Health Care Act to allow dental hygienists to apply topical fluorides and remineralization agents, without a dentist's supervision, has successfully passed through the state legislature and was signed into law by the Governor on March 29. This will allow the delivery of much needed preventive services outside the dental office setting, better accessing populations at high risk for dental decay.

The statute change will allow hygienists to reach vulnerable populations in community clinics, medical and long-term care facilities, schools, health fairs, etc., thus increasing access to care and improving the health of the citizens of New Mexico.

SB805 had wide support including the Governor's Oral Health Council and the New Mexico Dental Association. We wish to thank all who contacted their legislators or helped in any way. We especially thank Randy and Debbie Maestas-Traynor, our NMDHA lobbyists for all their work!

If any of you wish, you could write a note of thanks to Senator Robinson for sponsoring/carrying SB 805 and Represenetative Rodella for sponsoring/carrying HB 811. Their addresses are as follow:

HB 881

Representative Debbie Rodella, Box 1074, Ohkay Owingeh, NM 87566

SB 805

Senator Shannon Robinson, 716 Indiana SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108