Report Title:

Oral Health; Community Health

Description:

Appropriates funds out of the Hawaii tobacco settlement special fund for the department of health to employ licensed dental hygienists to serve children in underserved areas.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1586

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO COMMUNITY ORAL HEALTH.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that, based upon the department of health's dental health division 1999 findings among public elementary school children statewide, children in Hawaii have tooth decay (dental caries) rates that far exceed those documented on the United States mainland. At an average of 3.9 decayed teeth per child, the rate of dental caries among children ages five through nine in Hawaii is 2.1 times the last published United States national average of 1.9. Hawaii's dental caries prevalence rate is among the highest in the nation. The rates among Hawaii's native Hawaiians (4.2) and Filipinos (5.5) exceed the national average by 2.2 and 2.9 times, respectively. It is a crisis we can no longer ignore.

Poor oral health among children and vulnerable adult populations is among the most widespread and pressing public health problems identified in Hawaii. Dental disease, including tooth decay, is Hawaii's silent epidemic. Affecting most Hawaii residents at one time or another, tooth decay causes pain, loss of productivity at school and work, expensive treatment, and the risk of severe, even life-threatening infection.

Moreover, the legislature finds that, to make matters worse, licensed dental hygienists seem rather reluctant to perform services in underserved areas, especially the neighbor islands, and for underserved populations, specifically the low income class and the immigrants.

The purpose of this Act is to improve the quality of oral health in the State and improve accessibility of dental services.

SECTION 2. Licensed dental hygienists employed or contracted by the department of health shall offer comprehensive oral health services to children in public schools or in appropriate community health facilities and to public schools in underserved areas. Services may include but are not limited to:

(1) Topical fluoride application;

(2) Oral health screening;

(3) Dental sealant application;

(4) Educational presentations to students, teachers, parents, caregivers, and community groups; and

(5) Case management and consultation for special cases.

Dental hygienists may also provide services to any preschool, private school, and community groups within the area of the complex.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the Hawaii tobacco settlement special fund the sum of $500,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004, for departmment of health to employ or contract licensed dental hygienists to offer comprehensive oral health services to underserved children.

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

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.

INTRODUCED BY:

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