SANTE FE (Feb. 27) New Mexico Dental Association (NMDA) members appeared in Santa Fe to promote NMDA’s legislative agenda at the Roundhouse. Members participated in NMDA’s “Legislative Day,” which featured a continuing education course called “Dentistry and the Law.” Over 30 NMDA member dentists received instruction on the New Mexico legislative process, pending bills pertaining to dentistry and grassroots training. Members then visited to the Roundhouse where policy makers introduced them to Lt. Governor Diane Denish and the New Mexico State Senate. The dentists also visited their respective members and inquired about the status of bills pertaining to NMDA. The organization’s “Brighter Smiles for New Mexico” public education campaign has bills pending on the following dental health issues:  The importance of children visiting the dentist prior to starting school;  Expanding dental educational opportunities for New Mexicans to improve access to care;  Removal of the state’s gross receipt tax (GRT) for dental and medical services;  Simplifying dental insurance benefits for all New Mexicans; and  Investing in Medicaid dental benefit rates for patients. Three out of four dentists in New Mexico belong to the NMDA, a comprehensive voice of dental care and the premiere dental association in the state.