Report Title:

Dental Care Services; Donated Services; Disabled Persons

 

Description:

Makes appropriation for donated dental services program for elderly, persons who have a disability or mental illness, or are homeless, through the Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped. (HB786 CD1)

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

786

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 1


C.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR DONATED DENTAL SERVICES.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there are twenty-six states that have implemented a donated dental services program for individuals who are elderly, have a disability or mental illness, or are homeless, through the Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped (Foundation). The Foundation is a charitable affiliate of the American Dental Association (ADA). It began the first donated dental services program in Colorado and has since established programs in twenty-five other states through funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, ADA, ADA Health Organization, Oral Health America, and Great West Life Annuity.

The legislature further finds that the donated dental services program links eligible individuals with volunteer dentists who provide needed dental care services. Nationally, over eight thousand dentists and one thousand seven hundred dental laboratories donate more than $6,000,000 worth of care annually through the donated dental services program. On average, each patient receives over $1,500 worth of services.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to implement a statewide donated dental services program for eligible adults.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $41,660 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002 and the sum of $41,660 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003 for a statewide donated dental services program for eligible adults under the National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped program.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.