HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2207
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018		H.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO DENTAL ASSISTANTS.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that proper certification of dental assistants employed in the State is necessary to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of the State's citizens.  Currently, Hawaii is one of only a handful of states that does not require certification of dental assistants.  This lack of certification exposes the State's citizens to unnecessary risks whereas proper certification from a respected national board will help ensure that the State's citizens are receiving the best available care.

     The legislature also finds that the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc., is a national certification board for dental assistants that currently certifies more than thirty-seven thousand dental assistants nationwide.  Moreover, the Dental Assisting National Board's Certified Dental Assistant certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish requirements for dental assistants in Hawaii, including:

     (1)  Establishing minimum requirements for all individuals hired as dental assistants in Hawaii on or after July 1, 2018;

     (2)  Requiring dental assistants employed on or after July 1, 2018, to successfully complete the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.'s National Entry Level Dental Assistant certification within three years of first being hired as a dental assistant;

     (3)  Requiring dental assistants with four or more years' experience to apply or register for the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.'s Certified Dental Assistant certification; and

     (4)  Exempting dental assistants with more than ten years' experience from having to obtain a Certified Dental Assistant certification, but requiring these dental assistants to hold a cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification and pass the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.'s Infection Control examination within two years of the approval date of this Act.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 448, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§448-    Dental assistants; minimum requirements.  (a)  All individuals hired as dental assistants in this State on or after July 1, 2018, shall meet the following minimum requirements:

     (1)  Be at least eighteen years of age;

     (2)  Have earned a high school diploma from an accredited Hawaii public school, charter school, or private school or equivalent high school diploma if the applicant is from out of state, or passed the general educational development test;

     (3)  Hold a cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification; and

     (4)  One year after first being hired as a dental assistant, provide proof to the board that the dental assistant has applied or registered for the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.'s National Entry Level Dental Assistant certification.

     (b)  An individual employed as a dental assistant on or after July 1, 2018, shall provide proof to the board that the dental assistant has successfully completed the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.'s National Entry Level Dental Assistant certification within three years of first being hired as a dental assistant.

     (c)  An individual employed as a dental assistant for four or more years shall provide proof to the board that the dental assistant has applied or registered for the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.'s Certified Dental Assistant certification.

     (d)  An individual employed as a dental assistant for ten or more years shall not be subject to the requirements of subsection (c) but shall within two years of the approval date of this Act:

     (1)  Hold a cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification; and

     (2)  Provide proof to the board that the individual has passed the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.'s Infection Control examination.

     (e)  The board shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with the requirements of this section and shall assist licensed dentists and their employees with the requirements under this section.

     (f)  Licensed and registered dentists who employ dental assistants shall report the names and certifications of their dental assistants to the board."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2018.

 

Report Title:

Dental Assistants; Certification; Minimum Requirements; Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.

 

Description:

Establishes minimum requirements for all dental assistants hired on or after 7/1/2018.  Requires dental assistants employed on or after 7/1/2018 to successfully complete the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.'s (DANB) National Entry Level Dental Assistant certification within three years of first being hired.  Requires dental assistants with four or more years' experience to apply or register for the DANB's Certified Dental Assistant certification.  Exempts dental assistants with more than ten years' experience from having to obtain a Certified Dental Assistant certification, but requires these dental assistants to hold a cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification and pass the DANB's Infection Control examination within two years.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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