Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services and Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 209 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to require the Board of Dental Examiners (Board) to adopt rules to license dentists to practice as employees of, or volunteers for, safety net dental providers without having to pass the Hawaii dental licensing examination.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Hawaii Primary Care Association. The Board of Dental Examiners submitted comments.

Testimony in opposition of this measure was submitted by the Hawaii Dental Association, many dentists, and concerned citizens.

Your Committee understands that Hawaii has a high ratio of practicing dentists to population, with 1,362 licensed dentists in the state. However, there is a low participation rate in the Medicaid and QUEST programs. Several dentists testified that they do not serve QUEST members because the plan provides little or no reimbursement for most routine services. These dentists prefer to volunteer their services to low-income areas and organizations in their spare time.

Further, the Board noted that last year there were only 18 complaints. The Board is concerned that complaints will rise without regulation or licensing.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 209 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.