Dental therapy legislation could address “dental deserts” like Harding County (as seen on KOB)

An excellent KOB TV story recently highlighted problem of rural health care in New Mexico including Harding County which doesn’t have a single dentist practicing within its borders. The good news is that we have the solution. HB 264, the “Access to Dental Care Act” would create a new level of mid-level dental providers (dental therapists) that would put a serious dent in this problem. By creating a new subset of providers who don’t have to take on dentist-level-debt, but could provide basic procedures, we could see great benefits in our rural communities.

It is to be heard in the House State Government, Veterans, and Indian Affairs Committee on Tuesday, February 28.