NMDA Journal Spring 2020

14 New Mexico Dental Journal, Spring 2020 6. WICHE Loan for Service Program + Increase annual tuition support to $50,000 per year for dental students. + Maintain enough financial ability to sup- port an annual number of awards between 10–15. + Restore and increase funding for under- graduate Pre-Dental Society programs at public higher education institutions to encourage NM students to enter oral health careers. Summary of the SM96 Task Force Recommendations in Order of Priority 1. Increase dental reimbursement rates 3% beyond FY 19 levels. 2. Forman advisory committee led by HSD to reduce administrative barriers: + Streamline dual certification process. + Review and improve reimbursement process. 3. Improve oral health literacy of Medicaid participants (parents and children) and educate the parents of Medicaid enrollees about the importance of keeping appointments. 4. Expand the existing pediatric dental period- icity schedule in NM, where children start checkups at age one or before if it is required as part of the EPSDT. 5. Develop a Medicaid pilot project to pro- mote oral healthcare by incentivizing Med- icaid dental reimbursement rates in communities where Medicaid is under- utilized. 6. Conduct a study by HSD identifying num- bers of children enrolled in Medicaid and not receiving services. Identify the barriers and focus on these communities to improve utilization. 7. Annually provide one million dollars to improve access to care and oral health education by increasing the number of school-based linked, or school-based cen- ters, and/or dental clinics that can provide fluoride varnish, dental sealants, and pre- ventive dental hygiene services to students, especially in rural/frontier NewMexico. 8. Increase funding to $50,000 and slots for WICHE dental students and require them to be a Medicaid provider upon graduation. 9. Restore funding of 10.2 million for FQHCs that supports salaries and benefits at non- profit clinics: funding was reduced by 63% over the last several years. 10. Allocate funds for special needs training programs directed to dental providers to increase the number of dental profession- als providing services for special needs populations (funding amount to be determined). 11. Implement a Caries Management by Risk Assessment (CAMBRA) provider/patient contract program to reduce no shows and increase commitment to improve oral health and healthy lifestyles. 12.Promote increased training for Medicaid providers on the use of and application of fluoride varnish. 13.Conduct alternate office hours or locations for care beyond the traditional Monday through Friday, e.g., evening and Saturday hours, and other activities to support patient attendance. 14. NMHSD and NM Regulations Department (NMDental Health Care Board) annually report the number of dentists licensed and practicing in New Mexico.  continued from page 13