Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 118, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Board of Dental Examiners to accept the results of regional examinations for the licensure of dentists and dental hygienists.

This measure also provides that the national examination, once available, shall supercede the state and all regional examinations.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Board of Dental Examiners, the Hawaii Dental Hygienists' Association, the Hawaii Medical Service Association, and five individuals.

Your Committee finds that although there is currently no national examination for dentists or dental hygienists, the development and implementation of national uniform examinations are anticipated within the next year. As these professions move towards nationwide uniformity in terms of the standards for licensure, Hawaii must also conform to this ideal. Your Committee further finds that the standardization of examination in these professions will aid in the mobility of dentists and dental hygienists to move in and out of the State, while ensuring that the highest standards and qualifications are maintained within the professions. This measure provides for the smooth and uninterrupted transition of qualifications for licensure as dentists and dental hygienists through the utilization of regional examinations, in conjunction with the state examination, until such time as the national examination is made available.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of consistency and clarity.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 118, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 118, S.D. 2.