Report Title:

Temporary Licensure; Dentistry

Description:

Amends the dentistry statutes to provide for temporary licensure to practice dentistry while in the employment of or under contract with the Department of Health.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1115
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO TEMPORARY LICENSURE OF DENTISTS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  There is a need to attract additional dentists who are willing to provide much needed dental care services for residents in underserved communities or populations statewide.  Of particular concern are persons with disabilities, persons with mental illness, and the aging population who experience limited access to appropriate care as a consequence of their unique and challenging clinical management needs.

     Given ongoing, unmet oral health needs in many communities or populations, expansion of temporary licensure, to provide for a full array of dental services by department of health employees or individuals contracted with the department, will increase the potential to plan for and ensure access to basic dental care.

     The purpose of this Act is to amend a dentistry statute to provide a temporary license to practice dentistry to dentists who are employed by or under contract with the department of health.

     SECTION 2.  Section 448-12, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  The board of dental examiners may issue, without examination, to any resident or nonresident licensed in another state and otherwise qualified to be examined a temporary license to practice dentistry while in the employment of or under contract with the department of health, to provide dental services [to Hansen's disease sufferers]. The temporary license shall be valid for a period of three years [or until the first board examination after the conclusion of the three-year period and only while the].  The person to whom the temporary license is issued is in the employment of or under contract with the department of health [and works] shall work under the general direction and supervision of a duly licensed dentist[.  The] employed by the department of health.  After the period of three years, the temporary license [shall not be reviewed and] shall be reviewed annually by the board of dental examiners for continuance and shall be subject to revocation and suspension as provided in section 448-17.  The temporary licensee shall not be eligible for examination by the board of dental examiners while the temporary license is in effect."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________
	By Request