DENTAL HYGIENISTS IN DENTAL HEALTH ACT

HB 258 expands the scope of practice for licensed dental hygienists in New Mexico by clarifying collaborative work arrangements with dentists. It directly affects dental hygienists, dental therapists, and community dental health coordinators who provide care in non-traditional settings like community health centers. The bill creates new definitions for "collaborative dental hygiene practice" and "dental therapy practice agreements," allowing hygienists to perform more services under defined protocols with a collaborating dentist's oversight, without requiring the dentist to be physically present during all procedures. This change aims to increase access to preventive dental care in underserved areas while maintaining professional accountability through board rules.