Report Title:

Oral Health; Community Health

Description:

Establishes a comprehensive statewide strategy to address the issues related to the poor oral health of Hawaii's people, especially its children. The comprehensive strategy includes prevention, intervention and treatment of oral health problems. Establishes school-community based dental sealant programs in underserved areas of the state. Provides funds for department of Health to hire dental hygienists assigned to each department of education school complex to provide: (1) oral health education; (2) topical fluoride; and (3) oral health education. Authorizes issuance of general obligation bonds for construction of oral health facilities and equipment at Community health centers. Appropriates funds. (HB2761 HD1)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2761

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO COMMUNITY ORAL HEALTH.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that, based upon the department of health's dental health division 1999 findings among public elementary school children statewide, children in Hawaii have tooth decay (dental caries) rates that far exceed those documented on the United States mainland. At an average of 3.9 decayed teeth per child, the rate of dental caries among children ages five through nine in Hawaii is 2.1 times the last published United States national average of 1.9. Hawaii's dental caries prevalence rate is among the highest in the nation. The rates among Hawaii's native Hawaiians (4.2) and Filipinos (5.5) exceed the national average by 2.2 and 2.9 times, respectively. It is a crisis we can no longer ignore.

Poor oral health among children and vulnerable adult populations is among the most widespread and pressing public health problems identified in Hawaii. Dental disease, including tooth decay, is Hawaii's silent epidemic. Affecting most Hawaii residents at one time or another, tooth decay causes pain, loss of productivity at school and work, expensive treatment, and the risk of severe, even life-threatening infection.

The purpose of this Act is to plan, develop and implement a comprehensive statewide strategy to address the issue of poor oral health of Hawaii's people, especially its children, and to provide a range of alternatives for prevention, intervention, and treatment to improve the quality of oral health in the state.

SECTION 2. Licensed dental hygienists within the department of health shall provide comprehensive services to children in public school complexes. Services may include but are not limited to:

(1) Topical fluoride application;

(2) Oral health screening;

(3) Educational presentations to students, teachers, parents, caregivers, and community groups; and

(4) Case management and consultation for special cases.

Dental hygienists may also provide services to any preschool, private school, and community groups within the area of the complex.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003 to hire:

(1) Twenty-one full-time equivalent (21.00 FTE) dental hygienists within the department of health;

(2) Three full-time equivalent (3.00 FTE) dental hygienists as supervisors on Oahu;

(3) One full-time equivalent (1.00 FTE) dental hygienist as a supervisor for all other islands;

(4) One full-time equivalent (1.00 FTE) branch secretary; and

(5) One full-time equivalent (1.00 FTE) public health administrative officer.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003 for operating expenses.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003 for oral health services for uninsured individuals in community health centers serving areas with higher rates of dental caries when compared to the rest of the state.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003 for start up and operation costs of school and community-based dental sealant programs in underserved areas in the state of Hawaii.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 7. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $1 or so much thereby as may be necessary, and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for fiscal year 2002-2003 to plan oral health operatories at community health centers that do not have facilities and equipment for oral health services.

The appropriation authorized by this section shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2005, shall lapse as of that date.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 8. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003 to provide basic dental services for adults covered by the medicaid and QUEST medical assistance programs on a fee-for-service basis through the QUEST program; provided that a service cap of $500 shall be imposed per enrollee per year.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 9. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2002.