A NEW MEXICO HOUSE COMMITTEE HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A BILL AUTHORIZING DENTAL THERAPISTS TO PRACTICE IN THE STATE. SUPPORTERS SAY NEARLY 900-THOUSAND NEW MEXICANS LIVE IN AREAS WITHOUT ENOUGH DENTISTS…AND MORE THAN A QUARTER OF ALL ELEMENTARY AGE CHILDREN IN THE STATE HAVE UNTREATED TOOTH DECAY.
DENTAL THERAPISTS ARE LICENSED DENTAL PRACTITIONERS, SIMILAR TO PHYSICIANS ASSISTANTS IN THE MEDICAL FIELD. OTHER STATES, INCLUDING ARIZONA, ALREADY ALLOW DENTAL THERAPISTS TO PRACTICE.
