STAND. COM. REP. NO. 607-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1977

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1977, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DENTAL ASSISTANTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to allow dental assistants to perform limited, essential duties under the general supervision of a licensed dentist providing support dental services in a public health setting.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Board of Dentistry, Hawaii Dental Hygienists' Association, Hawai‘i Children's Action Network Speaks!, Hawai‘i Oral Health Coalition, AlohaCare, Hui No Ke Ola Pono, and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Dental Association.

Your Committee finds that allowing dental assistants to provide limited, yet essential, dental auxiliary support for dental hygienists under the general supervision of a licensed dentist in a public health setting will contribute to the development and sustainability of community-based oral health programs in the State. This measure increases the overall capacity and number of dentists permitted to provide dental services via the community-based oral health models that require general supervision, which will help meet the oral health needs of the State's communities and improve access to dental care for Hawaii residents.

Your Committee has amended this measure by clarifying that the role of a dental hygienist is to give direction to, rather than have a supervisory responsibility over, a dental assistant, as both are under the general supervision of a licensed dentist.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1977, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1977, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair