STAND. COM. REP. NO. 559

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 380

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 380 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DENTAL HYGIENISTS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to permit licensed dental hygienists in the State to operate under general, rather than direct, supervision of a licensed dentist.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Dental Hygienists' Association, Lānai Community Health Center, Kona Coast Dental Care, and eighteen individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Board of Dental Examiners and Hawaii Dental Association.

 

     Your Committee finds that under existing law, licensed dental hygienists must operate under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist in most circumstances, meaning a supervising licensed dentist must examine each patient prior to treatment, assign and review each treatment, and remain physically present in the office or facility while the procedure is being performed.  This requirement is time consuming for the dentist and restrictive for the dental hygienist.

 

     Your Committee further finds that forty-five states authorize dental hygienists to work under some degree of general supervision, meaning a dentist must authorize a dental hygienist to perform procedures, but need not be present in the treatment facility during the performance of those procedures.  Your Committee notes that existing state law permits general supervision of dental hygienists in public health settings, such as nonprofit health clinics, nursing homes, and adult day care centers or assisted living facilities.  Your Committee concludes that, since dental hygienists are currently permitted to work under the general supervision of dentists in public health settings, these highly trained professionals should be able to do so in private practice settings as well.  Accordingly, this measure permits licensed dental hygienists in Hawaii to operate under general supervision of a licensed dentist.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 380 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

 

 

 

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ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair