In 1994 New Mexico Legislature created the New Mexico Dental Hygienists Committee as a part of the New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care (NMBDHC). The Committee adopts rules, disciplines and licenses dental hygienists through the Board. It is self-regulating and has been a model for many states.
In 2003 the Statute added one dentist member and one public member to make up a nine member Committee. The make-up is a replica of the Board composition. There are five hygienists appointed by the Governor to represent the five dental/dental hygiene districts, two dentists elected by the NMBDHC, and the two public members appointed to serve on the Board and on the Committee.
The Committee ordinarily meets at 8:30 a.m. prior to the Board meetings. The meetings are listed on the Board of Dental Health Care website. Agenda is available 72 hours prior to the meeting.
The meetings are open to the public. When there are rule hearings it is especially important for you to come voice your opinions regarding the rules under which you practice.
The following hygienists are listed along with the counties that they represent. Feel free to contact them with your questions and comments.
| District | Contact | Counties |
|---|---|---|
| District I | Vacant | San Juan, Rio Arriba, Taos, Sandoval, McKinley, and Cibola |
| District II | Melissa Barbara RDH mabarbara04@gmail.com |
Colfax, Union, Mora, Harding, San Miguel, Quay, Guadalupe, Santa Fe and Los Alamos |
| District III | Ermelinda Baca, RDH toothfairyerma_1@msn.com |
Bernalillo, Valencia and Torrance |
| District IV | Paula Jenkins RDH pjenkins@hmsnm.org |
Catron, Socorro, Grant, Sierra, Hidalgo, Luna, Doña Ana and Otero |
| District V | Denise Teague-Myrick, RDH deniseteague@msn.com |
Lincoln, De Baca, Roosevelt, Chavez, Eddy, Curry and Lea |
For further information, contact:
New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care and the New Mexico Dental Hygienists Committee
Toney Anaya Building
2550 Cerrillos Rd.
Santa Fe, NM 87504-5101
Phone: 505-476-4680
Fax: 505-476-4545
Website: www.rld.state.nm.us/boards/Dental_Health_Care.aspx
Email: dental.board@state.nm.us