Bill Text: HI SB371 | 2018 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To The Board Of Dentistry And Dental Hygiene.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2018-01-17 - Re-referred to HHS/IAC, CPC, referral sheet 1 [SB371 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2018-SB371-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
371 |
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TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
H.D. 1 |
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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 current composition of the board of dental examiners should be amended to better reflect the full scope of services offered by licensed oral health practitioners in a diverse array of settings. There are currently twelve members on the board: eight practicing dentists, two dental hygienists, and two public members. As of April 13, 2015, there were 1,512 dentists and 1,052 dental hygienists licensed by the State. According to these numbers, one dentist board member represents one hundred eighty-nine licensed dentists, while one dental hygienist board member represents five hundred twenty-six licensed dental hygienists. Further, the current composition of the board does not ensure representation of dental hygienists practicing outside Oahu or any licensees practicing outside private office settings.
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 include 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 that adequate representation for dental hygienists was particularly important, "since the interests of [dental hygienists] may conflict with and be outweighed by those of dentists."
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to promote adequate representation of dental hygienists on the board of dental examiners by adding one additional dental hygienist member and requiring that at least one of the three hygienist members represent the neighbor islands. This measure also establishes prior public health dentistry experience as a recommended, but not mandatory, qualification for at least one dentist member.
SECTION 2. Section 448-5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§448-5 Board of examiners;
appointment. The board of dental examiners shall consist of [twelve]
thirteen 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] three of whom shall be
practicing dental hygienists, duly licensed under section 447-1, and 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. A background in public health dentistry is a desirable
qualification, but not a requirement, for at least one member of the board who
is a practicing dentist. Of the members who are practicing dental hygienists,
two shall be residents of the city and county of Honolulu and one shall be a
resident of the county of Hawaii, Maui, or Kauai. As used in this chapter,
"board" means the board of dental examiners."
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2070.
Report Title:
Board of Dental Examiners; Dental Hygienists
Description:
Amends the composition of the Board of Dental Examiners to add an additional dental hygienist member and specify that two hygienist members shall reside in the City and County of Honolulu and one shall reside in the County of Hawaii, Maui, or Kauai. (SB371 HD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
