NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to HB95, SB156

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

Health Policy Commission (HPC)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Amendment

This amendment adds the following language: "A plan for a program evaluation, including specific program goals and criteria for assessing effectiveness shall be submitted to the LFC and the CHE by August 1, 2000 and an assessment shall be completed annually."

Synopsis of Bill

This bill appropriates $200.0 from the general fund to the governing board of San Juan College for the following: $102.0 to establish a dental auxiliary education program; and $98.0 to establish a dental education career ladder program at various community and branch colleges throughout the state.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $200.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY01 shall revert to the general fund.

RELATIONSHIP

This bill relates to House Bill 95 and Senate Bill 156.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

According to the HPC, only five counties have an adequate dental capacity and at least 17 counties have a critical shortage. All counties, except Bernalillo and Los Alamos, have a shortage of dental hygienists. In 1999, the number of hygienists per 100,000 population decreased from 39 to 38. Dental hygienists improve capacity of dentists. With collaborative practice for dental hygienists enacted in 1999, dental hygienists will be better able to expand access to preventive services, thereby decreasing the future demand for dental services. In New Mexico the only public certified oral health care professional education program offered is a UNM Baccalaureate degree in Dental Hygiene. Nationally, most dental hygienists are trained in associate degree programs.

In the 1998 HPC health professional survey, 87% of dentists rated having access to hygienists and assistants as very important in selecting a practice site. The greatest oral health care professional shortages exists in rural areas. Training rural students in their home communities increases the probability that they will remain in rural areas.

In 1999, a Task Force of dental professionals formed in response to Senate Joint Memorial 21 found that there was a need for dental auxiliaries, most particularly in rural and underserved areas. The Task Force recommended enhanced funding to establish a Dental Career Ladder for dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants and dental auxiliary welfare to work candidates at public universities and community colleges.

In November 1997, the CHE convened an ad hoc task force on dental hygiene education. The task force endorsed a career ladder model for dental education, recommending that the model be developed collaboratively by educators and oral health professionals to involve the full spectrum of postsecondary education, including alternative options for course delivery.

The CHE recommends that the following language be included for all new recurring higher education programs: "The institution receiving the special appropriation in this bill shall submit a program evaluation to the LFC and the CHE by August 1, 2003 detailing the benefits to the State from having this program implemented for a three-year period."

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