Hello!
My name is Elizabeth Perkins (I go by Ellie) and I would like to introduce myself as a new intern at Health Action New Mexico (HANM). I am currently a graduate student at A.T. Still University working on my Master’s in Public Health (M.P.H.) with a dental emphasis. I will also be starting law school at UNM in the fall. I chose to intern with HANM because of my background in dentistry and passion to increase access to dental care, and HANM shares in that passion and then some. I was particularly interested in advocating for the Dental Therapist Licensure Act because as a native New Mexican who grew up in a rural area east of Albuquerque I know the struggles that exist in accessing dental care. As a child on Medicaid, my family had to make the lengthy drive to Albuquerque for dental appointments, frequently had to switch dentists when one would stop taking Medicaid, and often wait long periods of time for an appointment, even for the treatment of acute pain. I have spent the better part of the past 13 years working in the dental field and have heard countless stories that mirror my own. Dental access is a real issue in New Mexico and needs to be addressed.
Finding a real solution to the oral health access issues in our state is what brought me to HANM and the Dental Therapy Licensure Act. New Mexico already has strong educational programs training dental hygienists, dental assistants, and dentist residents, but a deficit still exists all over the state. I believe strongly that mid-level dental providers (dental therapists) are the answer in our state and I am willing to push for New Mexico to join with other states who have realized this solution, and be on the leading front nationally as an example for other states wanting the same options. I look forward to learning more about the legislative process and helping to improve access to oral health care for all New Mexicans.