Bill > SB6

This bill establishes the profession of dental therapy in New Mexico, defining its scope of practice and creating a joint committee to advise the Board of Dental Health Care on matters related to dental therapists. The legislation amends existing laws to include dental therapists in various provisions, such as licensure, regulation, disciplinary actions, and insurance coverage. It also clarifies definitions related to dental care, creates a new "New Mexico dental therapist joint committee" composed of dentists, dental hygienists, and public members to make recommendations on dental therapy regulation, and outlines the process for licensing dental therapists, including educational and examination requirements. The bill also addresses the practice of dental therapy under general supervision of a dentist, allows for temporary public-service licenses for dental therapists, and includes dental therapists in provisions for impaired professionals and medical assistance programs. Furthermore, it ensures that insurance policies cover services provided by dental therapists and dental hygienists in collaborative practice.