New Mexico has passed a mandate stating that public school students who have recently relocated to the state or are transferring to a new district must have had a dental exam within the past year to enroll, according to a June 13 report from the Santa Fe New Mexican. The new requirement takes effect July 1.
Critics say the mandate may put some families in a financial bind, and that "inconsistencies in dental health care for low-income students seeking required exams could result in children getting teeth pulled rather than receiving tooth-saving treatments such as fillings and root canals," the publication reported.
"If the state wants to make this mandate, then they should have provided the money for the child to go and have good care," stated Santa Fe school board member Lorraine Price in the article.
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