STAND. COM. REP. NO. 204

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: H.B. No. 656

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 656 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE BOARD OF DENTAL EXAMINERS EXAMINATIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to accept regional examinations for dentists, and the state and regional examinations for dental hygienists until the national examinations, currently being developed, become available.

The Dental Hygienists' Association, HMSA, Board of Dental Examiners, and several concerned individuals testified in support of this bill. Several concerned individuals testified in support of this bill, with reservations. A concerned individual testified in opposition to this bill.

Your Committee finds that this bill will:

(1) Provide assurances to the people of Hawaii that their dentists and dental hygienists have equal or greater qualifications than their counterparts on the mainland; and

(2) Assure greater uniformity in the services patients receive through the establishment of more standardized practices and generally accepted principles in the field of dentistry.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 656 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

 

____________________________

DENNIS A. ARAKAKI, Chair