STAND. COM. REP. NO. 328-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 1777

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health & Homelessness, to which was referred H.B. No. 1777 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize dental hygienists under the general supervision of a licensed dentist to perform preventive dental sealant screenings and apply preventive dental sealants in a school-based oral health program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Department of Education; University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Nancy Atmospera-Walch School of Nursing; Board of Dentistry; Hawaii Dental Service; Hawaii Dental Association; AlohaCare; Hawai‘i Children's Action Network Speaks!; Hawaii Dental Hygienists' Association; Hawai‘i Oral Health Coalition; petition with numerous individuals; and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that the application of dental sealants to molars is one of the most effective practices in preventing tooth decay among children. Your Committee further finds that providing dental sealants through school-based oral health programs is a cost-effective strategy to reach low-income children, who are typically at a higher risk of developing tooth decay. This measure is intended to align the State's dental practices with those used in most other states by authorizing dental hygienists to perform preventive dental sealant screenings and apply preventive dental sealants in conjunction with a licensed dentist in a school-based oral health program.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1777, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1777, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair