Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 1603 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to allow licensed dental hygienists to provide certain services under the general supervision of a dentist.

The Hawaii Dental Hygienists Association, Kokua Kalihi Valley, and numerous dental hygienists submitted testimony in support of this measure.

The Hawaii Dental Association and numerous dentists who were concerned with the health and safety of the general public, opposed this measure. They also pointed out that the duration, scope, and depth of training differed significantly between dentists and dental hygienists.

Your Committee recognizes that Hawaii is ranked lowest in the nation in oral health care. Dental hygienists want to be a part of the solution by playing a significant role in identifying and preventing tooth decay. Moreover, many dental hygienists are willing to volunteer their time to provide services for the needy and indigent people who may require dental care.

Dental hygienists are also willing to educate the public on dental and oral health and mount a campaign of prevention against periodontal disease and tooth decay. This is not currently possible because dental hygienists must be under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist making it difficult for them to provide these helpful community services.

Your Committee understands the concerns of the dentists and has amended this bill by:

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1603, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1603, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.