Bill Text: HI HB2458 | 2014 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Board of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene; Dentistry; Membership
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 13-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-02-26 - The committee(s) on CPC recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. [HB2458 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2014-HB2458-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2458 |
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TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE BOARD OF DENTISTRY AND DENTAL HYGIENE.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the name "board of dental examiners" is no longer an accurate description of the board's scope and function. The legislature finds that the name "board of dentistry and dental hygiene" is more appropriate since the board regulates dentists and dental hygienists within the State. Furthermore, the board no longer exists merely for purposes related to conducting licensing exams. The board now has additional responsibilities to regulate its members and the profession.
The legislature further finds that there are currently twelve members on the board. Eight of these members are practicing dentists, while only two members are dental hygienists. As of November 18, 2013, there were 1,526 dentists and 1,040 dental hygienists licensed by the State. According to these numbers, one dentist board member represents one hundred ninety licensed dentists, while one dental hygienist board member represents five hundred twenty licensed dental hygienists.
Like the eight dentist members on the board, the two dental hygienist members are practicing professionals and must arrange for time off, often as unpaid leave, to fulfill their increasing duties. It is challenging for the two dental hygienist members to carry out their growing responsibilities, which includes providing dental hygienist expertise and perspective, as compared to the eight dentists sharing board member tasks.
The legislature finds that dental hygiene is one of the few health professions that is generally controlled by another profession. Due to the significantly higher representation of dentists on the board, the dental hygienists' contributions and guidance are often not reflected in the board's actions. A 1993 state auditor's report noted concern with the board's failure to implement its earlier recommendation to create a "better balanced board since the interests of dental hygienist [members] may conflict with and be outweighed by those of the dentist [members]."
The purpose of this Act is to update the name of the board of dental examiners to the board of dentistry and dental hygiene, which more accurately reflects the board's scope, and provide dental hygienists with greater representation on the board so that board representation is more proportional to the number of licensed dentists and dental hygienists in Hawaii.
SECTION 2. Chapter 448, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending its title to read as follows:
"DENTISTRY AND DENTAL HYGIENE"
SECTION 3. Section 448-5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§448-5 Board of [examiners;] dentistry
and dental hygiene; appointment. The board of [dental examiners]
dentistry and dental hygiene shall consist of twelve members, eight of
whom shall be practicing dentists who have been engaged in the practice of
dentistry for a period of five years preceding their several appointments, two
of whom shall be practicing dental hygienists, duly licensed under section
447-1, who have been engaged in the practice of dental hygiene in the State for
a period of five years preceding appointment, and two of whom shall be public
members. No member shall be in any way connected with, or interested
financially in, any dental supply company. One member in the practice of
dentistry shall be appointed from each of the counties of Hawaii, Maui, and
Kauai and five members in the practice of dentistry shall be appointed from the
city and county of Honolulu. As used in this chapter, "board" means
the board of [dental examiners.] dentistry and dental hygiene."
SECTION 4. Section 448-5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§448-5 Board of [examiners;] dentistry
and dental hygiene; appointment. The board of [dental examiners]
dentistry and dental hygiene shall consist of [twelve] eleven
members, [eight] five of whom shall be practicing dentists who
have been engaged in the practice of dentistry in the State for a period
of five years preceding their several appointments, [two] four of
whom shall be practicing dental hygienists, duly licensed under section 447-1,
who have been engaged in the practice of dental hygiene in the State for a
period of five years preceding appointment, and two of whom shall be public
members. A minimum of one member who is a practicing dentist shall have a
background in public health dentistry. No member shall be in any way
connected with, or interested financially in, any dental supply company[.]
or dental examination company; provided that a member may be an examiner of
a regional testing agency. One member in the practice of dentistry shall
be appointed from each of the counties of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai and [five]
two members in the practice of dentistry shall be appointed from the
city and county of Honolulu. As used in this chapter, "board" means
the board of [dental examiners.] dentistry and dental hygiene."
SECTION 5. Sections 26-9, 423-1, 447-1(a), 447-1.5, 447-2, 447-3, 447-3.5, 447-4, 447-6, 447-7, 448-1.5, 448-2, 448-3, 448‑7, 448-9.6, 448-11, 448-12, 448-13, 448-16, 448-22, 448-23, and 451D-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, are amended by substituting the words "board of dentistry and dental hygiene", or similar term, wherever the words "board of dental examiners", or similar term, appears, as the context requires.
SECTION 6. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2014; provided that:
(1) Section 3 of this Act which amends section 448-5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall be repealed on June 30, 2015;
(2) Section 4 of this Act which amends section 448-5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall take effect on July 1, 2015; and
(3) If any vacancies on the board of dentistry and dental hygiene for practicing dentist members occur before July 1, 2015, the vacancies shall be filled only as necessary to fill up to five practicing dentist seats on the board.
Report Title:
Board of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene; Dentistry; Membership
Description:
Renames the "Board of Dental Examiners" to the "Board of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene". Effective July 1, 2015, changes the Board composition. Requires at least one of the practicing dentist members to be a practicing dentist with a background in public health dentistry. Prohibits members from being in any way connected with or having financial interest in specified areas. Effective July 1, 2014. (HB2458 HD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
