Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 2093, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to create a service license for dentists and dental hygienists working in federally qualified health centers or Native Hawaiian Health System sites.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Department of Health, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Board of Dental Examiners, Hawaii Island Dental Task Force, Hawaii Dental Association, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Good Beginnings Alliance, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Kalihi-Palama Health Center (Hale Ho 'Ola Hou), and Papa Ola Lokahi.

Your Committee finds that although Hawaii enjoys one of the highest per capita ratio of dentists in the country, it is often difficult for low-income and uninsured individuals to find dentists willing to provide them with services. This measure would help to expand the pool of professionals willing to work in those communities to assure that the basic dental care needs of Hawaii residents are met.

Your Committee has amended this measure by deleting its contents and replacing it with the contents of S.B. No. 2586, S.D. 1, which allows dental professionals to practice under the Community Service License for an indefinite period, rather than only five years, which this measure provides.

The amended measure also corrects the reference to the required exam for dental hygienists.

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, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2093, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing.