NM legislative committee passes dental therapist bill

A New Mexico legislative committee has passed a bill that would create a category of dental therapists in the state

A New Mexico State House of Representatives bill (HB 349), Dental Health Act Changes and Therapists, which would create a licensing procedure and practice framework for dental therapists, passed that state's House Regulatory and Public Affairs Committee on Monday. The bill now goes to the Health Committee.

If approved, the bill would create a new category of midlevel oral healthcare providers (MLPs) that proponents say would help address a shortage of dentists, particularly in rural areas.

A similar bill sponsored was tabled in the Senate earlier this month.