Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 2093 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to increase the number of dentists and dental hygienists qualified to provide dental services in nonprofit health centers that serve low income and uninsured communities. This bill authorizes the Board of Dental Examiners to issue, without examination, a community service license for dentists and dental hygienists to practice in:

(1) A federally qualified health center;

(2) The native Hawaiian health care system; or

This bill also updates statutory references regarding the accreditation of dental colleges. Accreditation is currently handled by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation.

The Department of Health, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Hawaii Dental Association, and the Hawaii Island Dental Task Force testified in support of this measure. The Board of Dental Examiners also supported this bill with amendments.

Hawaii's children have nearly three times the national average of baby bottle tooth decay, double the number of dental caries, and 60 percent more decayed and filled teeth. Although the State maintains a good ratio of dentists relative to the overall population, there is a severe shortage of dental professionals who work in nonprofit health centers that serve low income and uninsured communities. This bill will encourage dental professionals from other states who are willing to provide dental care services in these communities. Currently, Hawaii is one of only four states that do not grant licensure by credentials.

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. 2093 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.