STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2343

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2854

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2854 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to allow a licensed dental hygienist to place interim therapeutic restorations in public health settings under the general supervision of a licensed dentist.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Board of Dentistry, University of Hawaiʻi System, AlohaCare, Hawaiʻi Oral Health Coalition, Kōkua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services, Hawaii Dental Service, Hawaii Dental Hygienists' Association, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, and nine individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Dental Association and one individual.

Your Committee finds that oral health is an essential part of a person's overall health and quality of life. Your Committee also finds that in 2013, the State was one of only five states to receive a grade of "F" for oral health report cards by the PEW Charitable Trusts, an indication that the State lagged behind other states' oral health prevention efforts. Your Committee further finds that dental hygienists possess foundational training and clinical skills that can be further developed to competently place interim restorations, a cost‑effective way to reach at‑risk children and adults, address tooth decay in its early stages, and prevent worsening dental conditions and their associated costs. This measure removes unnecessary restrictions on dental hygienists to mitigate expensive and unnecessary barriers to serving the State's communities that are at greatest risk for untreated dental conditions.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2854 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,

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JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair