Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 2586, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to increase the number of qualified dentists and dental hygienists willing and able to work in nonprofit federally funded health centers serving low-income and uninsured communities, by authorizing the Board of Dental Examiners to issue, without examination and upon presentation of specified credentials, a community service license for dentists and dental hygienists to practice in these health centers. This bill also updates statutory references regarding the accreditation of dental colleges.

The Department of Health, Board of Dental Examiners, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Dental Association, Hawaii Dental Hygienists Association, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Good Beginnings Alliance, Kokua Council, and Advocates for Consumer Rights supported this bill.

Your Committee finds that dental disease in early childhood predisposes children to a lifetime of dental problems. 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 Hawaii, compared to other states, has a high ratio of dentists and dental hygienists to the total population, there is a severe shortage of dental care professionals who are available to serve patients in our low-income and uninsured communities. This bill will make it easier for qualified, experienced dental professionals from other states to provide dental care services to Hawaii's underserved communities.

Your Committee has amended this bill in two significant particulars:

Technical, nonsubstantive amendments have also been made for clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2586, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2586, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.