Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 786, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to make an appropriation for the donated dental services program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health (DOH), Executive Office on Aging, State Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities (Council), Hawaii Dental Association, Hawaii Dental Hygienists' Association, Mental Health Association in Hawaii, and a private citizen.

Your Committee finds that the donated dental services program of the DOH links eligible individuals with volunteer dentists who provide needed dental care services. The target population is the elderly, disabled, mentally ill, or homeless. Twenty-six states have such a program under the National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped, an affiliate of the American Dental Association.

According to testimony of the DOH, the Hawaii Dental Association is committed to organizing a group of volunteer dentists in the community. An appropriation is necessary to pay for a coordinator, laboratory services, technical support, office expenses, and the like, estimated to be $41,660.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 786, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.