NMDA Journal Summer 2020

24 New Mexico Dental Journal, Summer 2020 Government Affairs Update By Christopher Morgan, DMD The Council on Government Affairs continues to be one of the busiest councils or commit- tees for the NMDA, monitoring legislative action, but also mak- ing connections with our legis- lators throughout the year. It is always important, as member dentists, that we maximize our contact with our local senators and representatives. You will never know when a friendly dental visit from a law maker to your office could pay dividends in the future. This year was relatively quiet, as the CGA closely monitored three specific bills: SB 137 : This bill was passed by both cham- bers and signed by the Governor on March 6, 2020. The new law now allows for occupa- tional or professional licensure eligibility, regardless of the citizenship of the applicant. The bill was written to address "Dreamers" who obtained their education and training in America, but are not yet citizens. Now they can pursue their occupation in their chosen field. It received support from both sides of the aisle and passed with little debate. HB 261 : This bill attempted to allow a foreign trained dentist to obtain a dental license through our State Dental Board if the train- ing and education was deemed "equivalent." This bill did not garner much support and died in the house. SB 212 : This bill did receive a lot of attention, as it was very similar to a teledentistry bill that passed both the house and the senate last year, but was vetoed by the Governor. Attempts were made to revise this bill imme- diately. The bill is largely supported by PAC money with origins in DIY outfits like Smile Direct Club. The goal of the bill was to amend the dental health care act to estab- lish the site of dentistry as the location of the site where the diagnosis was made by a dentist. This is important to fight because if this bill were to pass, it would allow an out- of-state, or out-of-country dentist to diag- nose dental disease or malpositioned teeth, but have absolutely no chance of recourse if the diagnosis was poor of faulty. Currently, you have to be an NM licensed dentist to diagnose dentistry in New Mexico, which makes the dentist subject to discipline by the NM State Dental Board. This bill died in the Senate. The above information is important because the NMDA continues to rely on a strong mem- bership to support these endeavors. Like den- tistry, the NMDA does not always have a pleasant answer for difficult problems, but that does not mean the problems don't need to be addressed. Your membership dol- lars and status support our ability to effec- tively lobby for our profession, making us strong. That is why you should continue to support our NewMexico Dental Association with your membership and by attending the annual state dental meeting. Like dentistry, the NMDA does not always have a pleasant answer for difficult problems, but that does not mean the problems don't need to be addressed.