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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Robinson

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

2/9/07

HB

SHORT TITLE

Fluoride Treatments By Dental Hygienists

SB 805

ANALYST C. Sanchez

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY07

FY08

NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to, HB 102, HB 242, SB 35, SB 173

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD)

Department of Health (DOH)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 805 amends 61-5A-1 and 61-5A-4 NMSA 1978. The bill authorizes a Dental

Hygienist to apply preventive topical fluorides and remineralization agents without supervision

in public and community medical facilities, schools, hospitals, long-term care facilities and such

other settings as the determine by board rule, so long as the dental hygienist’s license is not

restricted pursuant to the Impaired Dentists and Dental Hygienists Act

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

Fluoride is a mineral that is effective in preventing and reversing the early signs of tooth decay.

It makes the tooth structure stronger, so teeth are more resistant to acid attacks. Self-

administered topical fluorides come in a variety of forms including toothpaste and rinses.

Professionally applied fluoride treatments (e.g., varnish, gel and foam) are more concentrated

than the self-applied fluorides, and therefore are not needed as frequently.

Senate Bill 805 – Page

2

Currently, any person without a formal dental education in New Mexico can apply a topical

fluoride at any time and in any place. However, at the same time, a licensed dental hygienist

cannot do so, unless the patient has been examined by a dentist in the last year and the dental

hygienist is working under the general supervision of a dentist. The intent of SB805 is to allow

dental hygienists to apply topical fluorides and remineralization agents without supervision in

public and community medical facilities, schools, hospitals, long-term care facilities and such

other settings.

Expanding the scope of practice for a dental hygienist will bring New Mexico into parity with

other states that allow the dental hygienist to apply fluoride varnish.

New Mexico has a serious shortage of dental providers throughout areas of the state. Most of the

counties, either in specific populations or the entire county, have been designated as dental health

professional shortage areas. The shortage is preventing the state from reaching low income and

noninsured individuals who need dental treatment and preventive measures. Enabling the dental

hygienist to apply fluoride varnish will increase the number of children who can receive this

preventive agent and reduce the incidence of dental disease.

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

SB805 falls under the DOH Strategic Plan, Program Area 2, Public Health: Task 8: Improve

access to preventive and restorative oral health services provided to children, low income rural

populations and people with disabilities.

CONFLICT, DUPLICATION, COMPANIONSHIP, RELATIONSHIP

SB805 relates with HB 102, HB 242, SB 35 and SB 173, as they are concerned with New

Mexico oral health issues including dental practice, oral health education, and access to dental

services.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

The 2000 New Mexico Children’s Oral Health Survey has identified that 65% of New Mexico

children have experienced tooth decay and 37% have untreated tooth decay.

WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL

Dental Hygienist will continue to need supervision of a licensed dentist to apply preventative

topical fluorides and remineralization agents.

CS/mt