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 S.B. No. 2897 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to accept dental examination results from regional or state testing agencies in the event Hawaii's respective examinations cannot be administered.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Board of Dental Examiners, the Hawaii Dental Association, and the Hawaii Dental Hygienists Association.

Your Committee finds that the Hawaii dental licensure examination is administered at the Pearl Harbor Dental Clinic, and since the Board is a guest of the U.S. Navy it is subject to any security measures taken, including closure of the base to civilians. Your Committee further finds that there may be an occasion when access may be denied, thus preventing the examination from being taken. Allowing this alternative method will ensure the continuing licensure of dentists to meet the oral health needs of the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure to include the dental hygienists examination, which could also be affected by a denial of access to the Pearl Harbor Dental Clinic. The continuing licensure of dental hygienists is also important to meet the oral health needs of the State.

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 S.B. No. 2897, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2897, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing.