New Mexico Dental Association (NMDA)
Your guide to organized dentistry in New Mexico: membership, the annual meeting, local component societies, the state dental board, and CE/license-renewal requirements.
About the New Mexico Dental Association
The New Mexico Dental Association is the ADA constituent (state) society for New Mexico, headquartered in Albuquerque at 9201 Montgomery Blvd NE. It was formed in 1908 — four years before New Mexico achieved statehood — making it one of the oldest professional organizations in the state.
The NMDA has 600+ member dentists and is led by Executive Director Dr. Tom Schripsema. As an ADA tripartite organization, NMDA membership automatically grants membership in the American Dental Association and the dentist's local District Dental Society, providing the combined strength of local, state, and national resources.
The NMDA's work spans legislative advocacy, continuing education (anchored by its annual session), and substantial charitable care. Through the affiliated New Mexico Dental Association Foundation, the NMDA has run the New Mexico Mission of Mercy (NM MOM) free-care events — nine NM MOM events since 2010 (including two in Albuquerque, two in Las Cruces, and events in Farmington/San Juan County, Rio Rancho/Sandoval County, and Santa Fe), plus mini-MOM events in Roswell and Clovis. The NMDA has also been involved in defending the New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care's authority in disputes with large DSOs (e.g., Pacific Dental Services litigation).
Annual Meeting: Fiesta NMDA (the NMDA Annual Session)
Late spring/early summer (June) at the Crowne Plaza in Albuquerque (1901 University Blvd NE); the 2025 event ran June 5–7, 2025
"Fiesta NMDA" is the association's flagship continuing-education and networking event, providing CE courses that help members satisfy New Mexico's triennial requirement alongside the association's social programming.
Component & Local Dental Societies
Joining the NMDA typically also enrolls a dentist in their local component society.New Mexico has 5 component societies:
Albuquerque District Dental Society (ADDS)
Bernalillo, southeast Sandoval (Bernalillo, Corrales, Cuba, Rio Rancho), southern Santa Fe (Edgewood), Socorro, Torrance, Valencia, Cibola, and McKinley counties (except the Newcomb portion)
www.adds-nm.orgSanta Fe District Dental Society
Santa Fe area
Southwest District Dental Society
southwest New Mexico (Las Cruces / Doña Ana area)
Northwest District Dental Society
northwest New Mexico (Farmington / San Juan County area)
Eastern District Dental Society
eastern New Mexico (Roswell / Clovis / Hobbs area)
Licensing Board
New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care (within the Regulation & Licensing Department, RLD)
The board licenses and regulates dentists — distinct from the NMDA, which is a voluntary membership and advocacy body.
www.rld.nm.gov/boards-and-commissions/individual-boards-and-commissions/dental-health-careCE & License Renewal
- Hours: 60 hours for dentists (maximum 30 hours may be online/webinar/self-study)
- Cycle: Triennial — CE obtained during the renewal period (July 1–June 30) of every third year; records kept one year past the cycle
- Mandatory topics: Current BLS/CPR certification (AHA, Red Cross, or ASHI); a course in infection control techniques and sterilization procedures each renewal period; prescribers with DEA registration must complete 3 hours on controlled-substance pharmacology/risks, abuse/addiction/diversion awareness, and state/federal prescribing regulations
Always verify current requirements with the New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care (within the Regulation & Licensing Department, RLD) before renewal.
New Mexico Dental Market Snapshot
- Major metros: Albuquerque (largest, anchored by ADDS, which covers most of central/northwest NM), Santa Fe (capital), Las Cruces (south), Rio Rancho, Farmington, and Roswell.
- Much of New Mexico is rural with dental-shortage areas, underscored by the recurring Mission of Mercy free-care events.
- New Mexico has the highest Hispanic/Latino population share of any US state and large Native American (Navajo, Pueblo, Apache) communities — strong drivers of Spanish-language and culturally-aware front-desk needs.
AI Front Desk for New Mexico Practices
New Mexico's dental market centers on Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces but reaches deep into rural and tribal communities served by the NMDA's five district societies and its Mission of Mercy events. An AI dental receptionist helps NMDA-member practices answer every call and serve the state's large Spanish-speaking and Native American populations in their preferred language — keeping front desks covered while practices stay current on New Mexico's 60-hour triennial CE and Board of Dental Health Care renewals.
New Mexico Dental Association FAQ
How many CE hours do New Mexico dentists need to renew a license?
New Mexico dentists must complete 60 hours for dentists (maximum 30 hours may be online/webinar/self-study), triennial — ce obtained during the renewal period (july 1–june 30) of every third year; records kept one year past the cycle. Mandatory topics include Current BLS/CPR certification (AHA, Red Cross, or ASHI); a course in infection control techniques and sterilization procedures each renewal period; prescribers with DEA registration must complete 3 hours on controlled-substance pharmacology/risks, abuse/addiction/diversion awareness, and state/federal prescribing regulations. Always confirm current rules with the New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care (within the Regulation & Licensing Department, RLD).
What is the difference between the NMDA and the New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care (within the Regulation & Licensing Department, RLD)?
The New Mexico Dental Association is a voluntary membership and advocacy organization for dentists. The New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care (within the Regulation & Licensing Department, RLD) is the government body that licenses dentists and enforces regulations. Membership in the association is optional; licensure through the board is mandatory to practice.
Sources
- www.nmdental.org — NMDA main site, HQ address, tripartite membership
- www.nmdental.org/local-districts — five district dental societies; Fiesta NMDA annual session
- www.adds-nm.org/ — Albuquerque District Dental Society coverage area
- www.rld.nm.gov/boards-and-commissions/individual-boards-and-commissions/dental-health-care/instructors-training-requirements-and-continuing-education/ — NM Board of Dental Health Care; CE rules (60 hrs/triennium, infection control, BLS, controlled substances)
- www.nmdental.org/meetings-events/new-mexico-mission-of-mercy — NM Mission of Mercy events
- publications.bigredm.com/flipbook/NMDA/2025/ConferenceProgram/ — 2025 Fiesta NMDA program (June 5–7, Crowne Plaza Albuquerque)
- www.nmdental.org/about-us/nmda-staff — NMDA staff / Executive Director
- www.dentistrytoday.com/pds-loses-legal-appeal-against-new-mexico-dental-board/ — NMDA/board vs. PDS litigation
- www.guidestar.org/profile/85-0122362 — NMDA founded 1908, 600+ members, ED Tom Schripsema
- www.pacificdentalservices.com/newsroom/press-releases/pacific-dental-services-applauds-dr-kelley-ryals-service-as-president-of-new-mexico-dental-association/ — Dr. Kelley Ryals as recent NMDA president
- www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title16/16.005.0010.html — 16.5.10 NMAC continuing education rule
- coda.ada.org/find-a-program — CODA program finder (historically no NM predoctoral school)
- dental.touro.edu/news--events/news/stories/new-mexico-expansion.php — Touro College of Dental Medicine NM expansion
- www.adea.org/detail-pages/blog/adea---bulletin-of-dental-education/2024/11/13/touro-college-of-dental-medicine-breaks-ground-on-new-mexico-s-first-undergraduate-dental-clinical-training-facility — Touro groundbreaking on NM's first predoctoral dental clinical training facility
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