113
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES             H.C.R. NO.            
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2000                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________


                     HOUSE  CONCURRENT
                        RESOLUTION

  REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO STUDY ISSUES CONCERNING
    TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DISORDER, THE HEALTH CONSEQUENCES
    OF NOT TREATING THE DISORDER, AND TO RECOMMEND WHETHER
    HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR TREATMENT OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR
    JOINT DISORDER SHOULD BE REQUIRED IN HAWAII.



 1        WHEREAS, temporomandibular joint disorder and
 2   temporomandibular joint syndrome is defined as a group of
 3   symptoms stemming from tension in or faulty articulation of the
 4   temporomandibular joint; and
 5   
 6        WHEREAS, symptoms may include:
 7   
 8        (1)  Popping, clicking, or crackling sounds in or near the
 9             ear;
10   
11        (2)  Pain when opening or closing the mouth;
12   
13        (3)  Tenderness or soreness of the jaw;
14   
15        (4)  Pain or tenderness when chewing;
16   
17        (5)  Ringing in the ears;
18   
19        (6)  Severe pain in the joint area;
20   
21        (7)  Dizziness;
22   
23        (8)  Headaches;
24   
25        (9)  Pain around the eyes, cheeks, or temples;
26   
27       (10)  Chronic fatigue;
28   
29       (11)  Tenderness and swelling at the sides of the face;
30   
31       (12)  "Locking" of the jaw;
32   
33       (13)  Toothaches; and
34   

 
Page 2                                                     113
                                  H.C.R. NO.            
                                                        
                                                        


 1       (14)  Tingling or burning sensations in the mouth, tongue,
 2             or throat;
 3   
 4   and
 5   
 6        WHEREAS, causes of temporomandibular joint disorder may
 7   include:
 8   
 9        (1)  Malocclusion, which is a primary cause of the
10             disorder, means that the upper and lower teeth meet
11             imprecisely for chewing purposes so that the joint is
12             strained when trying to compensate for a poor bite;
13   
14        (2)  Stress, during which some people unconsciously grind
15             or clench teeth, creating strain of the joint;
16   
17        (3)  Posture, or poor posture habits, may cause strain on
18             the joint, and mouth breathing (because of
19             respiratory difficulties or other reasons) can also
20             cause muscle fatigue, affecting the joint; and
21   
22        (4)  Trauma, or injury, caused by accidents or a blow to
23             the area, and occasionally, a seemingly harmless
24             action such as opening the mouth wide to yawn
25             vigorously may cause an episode of pain in
26             susceptible individuals;
27   
28   and
29   
30        WHEREAS, in March 1998, researchers at the University of
31   Texas claimed the following:
32   
33        (1)  The disorder causes $30,000,000,000 in lost
34             productivity and 550,000,000 lost work days per year;
35   
36        (2)  At any one time, 10,000,000 people are treated for
37             the disorder;
38   
39        (3)  About one-fifth of those who have the disorder
40             require some treatment; and
41   
42        (4)  About ten per cent of those treated will need
43             surgery;
44   

 
 
 
Page 3                                                     113
                                  H.C.R. NO.            
                                                        
                                                        


 1   and
 2   
 3        WHEREAS, temporomandibular joint disorder appears to be a
 4   significant health problem that health insurers are not
 5   required to cover in Hawaii; now, therefore,
 6   
 7        BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the
 8   Twentieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session
 9   of 2000, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Health
10   is requested to conduct a study on the nature and seriousness
11   of temporomandibular joint disorder and the health consequences
12   if it is left untreated; and
13   
14        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is
15   requested to submit to the Legislature no later than twenty
16   days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2001, its
17   report including findings and recommendations on whether or not
18   treatment for temporomandibular joint syndrome should be a
19   mandated health coverage in Hawaii; and
20   
21        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this
22   Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health.
23   
24   
25   
26                         OFFERED BY:  ____________________________