THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2799
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 2
		C.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE SUPERVISION OF LICENSED DENTAL HYGIENISTS IN A PUBLIC HEALTH SETTING.

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

SECTION 1. Section 447-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:

"(d) [A] Notwithstanding section 447-1(f), a licensed dental hygienist may operate under the supervision [as provided in section 447-1(f)] of any licensed dentist providing dental services in a public health setting. General supervision is permitted in a public health setting; provided that the supervising licensed dentist is available for consultation; provided further that a licensed dental hygienist shall not perform any irreversible procedure or administer any intra-oral block anesthesia under general supervision. In a public health setting, the supervising licensed dentist shall be responsible for all delegated acts and procedures performed by a licensed dental hygienist. [As used in this subsection, "public health setting" includes dental services in a legally incorporated eleemosynary dental dispensary or infirmary, private school, welfare center, hospital, nursing home, adult day care center or assisted living facility, mental institution, nonprofit health clinic, or the State or any county. A] Notwithstanding section 447-1(f), a licensed dental hygienist under the general supervision of a licensed dentist employed in a public health setting may perform dental education, dental screenings, teeth cleanings, intra-oral or extra-oral photographs, x-rays if indicated, and fluoride applications[.] on individuals who are not yet patients of record, have not yet been examined by a licensed dentist, or do not have a treatment plan. Other permissible duties shall be pre-screened and authorized by a supervising licensed dentist, subject to the dentist's determination that the equipment and facilities are appropriate and satisfactory to carry out the recommended treatment plan. A licensed dental hygienist shall refer individuals not currently under the care of a dentist and who are seen in a public health setting to a dental facility for further dental care. No direct reimbursements shall be provided to licensed dental hygienists.

As used in this subsection, "public health setting" includes but is not limited to dental services in a legally incorporated eleemosynary dental dispensary or infirmary, private or public school, welfare center, community center, public housing, hospital, nursing home, adult day care center or assisted living facility, mental institution, nonprofit health clinic or facility, or the State or any county."

SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2018.

Report Title:

Licensed Dental Hygienists; Public Health Setting; Supervision

Description:

Clarifies the scope of practice of licensed dental hygienists in a public health setting. (CD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.