News

The New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care will hold a rule hearing on February 20, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., immediately followed by a regular board meeting for the adoption of the proposed rules listed below.  The hearing and subsequent committee and board meeting will take place at the Regulation and Licensing Department, located at 2550 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM, in the Rio Grande Conference Room.

The agenda for the meeting will be posted on the Board's website at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.

The hearing and subsequent Board of Dental Health Care meeting will also be accessed virtually via Microsoft Teams for those desiring to attend virtually. Meeting Link: Join the meeting now   Meeting ID: 268 620 588 349 29 Passcode: He2Ka6X9 Dial in by phone +1 505-312-4308,,83203241# United States, Albuquerque Find a local number Phone conference ID: 832 032 41#

The purpose of the rule hearing is to consider the initiation of rulemaking for the following rules:

Rule 16.5.1 General Provisions

Rule 16.5.3 Mandatory Reporting Requirements

Rule 16.5.5 Dentists, Fees

Rule 16.5.6 Dentists, Licensure by Exam

Rule 16.5.7 Dentists, Temporary or Public Service Licensure

Rule 16.5.8 Dentists, Licensure by Credentials

Rule 16.5.9 Non-Dentist Owners

Rule 16.5.10 Dentists, Continuing Education Requirements

Rule 16.5.11 Dentists, License Expiration and Renewal

Rule 16.5.15 Dentists, Anesthesia Sedation Administration

Rule 16.5.16 Dentists, Disciplinary Proceedings, License Revocation or Suspension for Disciplinary Actions

Rule 16.5.17 Dentists and Dental Hygienists, Collaborative Practice

Rule 16.5.18 Dental Hygienists, Fees

Rule 16.5.19 Dental Hygienists, Licensure by Examination

Rule 16.5.20 Dental Hygienists, Licensure by Credentials

Rule 16.5.23 Dental Hygienists, Continuing Education Requirements

Rule 16.5.24 Dental Hygienists, License Expiration and Renewal

Rule 16.5.28 Dental Hygienists, Local Anesthesia Certification

Rule 16.5.32 Dental Assistants, Fees

Rule 16.5.33 Dental Assistants, Requirements for Certification

Rule 16.5.36 Dental Assistants, Continuing Education Requirements

Rule 16.5.41 Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary, Fees

Rule 16.5.44 Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary, Continuing Education Requirements

Rule 16.5.49 Community Dental Health Coordinator, Fees

Rule 16.5.52 Community Dental Health Coordinator, Continuing Education Requirements

Rule 16.5.59 Expedited Licensure and Expedited Licensure for Military Service Members, Spouses, Dependent Children and Veterans

Rule 16.5.60 Dental Therapists, Fees

Rule 16.5.62 Dental Therapists, Continuing Education Requirements

On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, copies of the proposed rules may be obtained through the New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care website Dental Health Care Board Meetings or by contacting Kathy Ortiz at Dental.board@rld.nm.gov

The New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care and the Regulation and Licensing Department will begin accepting written public comment regarding the proposed rule changes beginning Tuesday, January 13, 2026, and ending Friday, February 20, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.  Written public comment may be submitted either by email to Dental.board@rld.nm.gov  or by postal mail to the following address:

New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care

P.O. Box 25101

Santa Fe, NM 87504

Statutory Authority: The rule changes are authorized by the Board of Dental Health Care Act §§61-5A-1 through -30, NMSA, which provides explicit authority for the New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care to protect public health and safety and adopt rules for the administration of the Act. The rulemaking and public rule hearing is governed by the State Rules Act, Sections 14-4-1 through 14-4-11 NMSA 1978, and the Default Procedural Rule for Rulemaking promulgated by the New Mexico Department of Justice, Parts 1.24.25 through 1.24.25.16 NMAC.

For more information visit the NM Board of Dental Health Care's website.