New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed legislation that establishes the practice of dental therapists, according to the Defensor Chieftain.
The Senate approved the bill April 21 with a 30 to 12 vote. Dental therapists will be approved to offer routine and preventive care. The goal is to reach more low-income, publicly insured and uninsured people and those living in rural and tribal areas.
In New Mexico, around 900,000 people live in areas without enough dentists. Additionally, around 25 percent of children have untreated tooth decay. The new dental therapist legislation aims to address these dental care gaps.
A majority of the bill goes into effect June 14. College and universities are beginning to develop dental therapist degree programs, with some contemplating bringing the program into their current dental school curriculum.
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The Senate approved the bill April 21 with a 30 to 12 vote. Dental therapists will be approved to offer routine and preventive care. The goal is to reach more low-income, publicly insured and uninsured people and those living in rural and tribal areas.
In New Mexico, around 900,000 people live in areas without enough dentists. Additionally, around 25 percent of children have untreated tooth decay. The new dental therapist legislation aims to address these dental care gaps.
A majority of the bill goes into effect June 14. College and universities are beginning to develop dental therapist degree programs, with some contemplating bringing the program into their current dental school curriculum.
More articles on dental:
Court throws out 7 of SmileDirectClub's counts against Alabama dental board
Armed man threatens employees at Missouri dental practice
34% of patients delay, skip out on payments for dental expenses