Report Title:

Dental Examination

Description:

Authorizes acceptance of dental, dental hygienist, and restorative technique examination results from regional or state testing agencies if state constructed exams cannot be administered. Repeals eligibility by graduates of foreign dental schools not accredited by the American Dental Association. (SB2897 HD1)

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2897

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

S.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

H.D. 1


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO THE DENTAL EXAMINATION.

 

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

SECTION 1. Section 447-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

"(b) Two examinations shall be held in each year at the time the board designates. The examinations shall cover subjects considered essential by the board for a dental hygienist and shall likewise include a practical examination on the removal of deposits or stains from the surfaces of the teeth. The board shall furnish a chair and engine, but the applicant shall supply all necessary instruments, materials, and patients for the examination.

If the board is unable to administer an examination, a qualified applicant for the canceled board examination who has passed a regional or state examination satisfactory to the board within one year prior to the canceled board examination or who takes and passes a regional or state examination satisfactory to the board prior to the board’s next administered examination shall meet the board’s examination requirement."

SECTION 2. Section 448-9, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§448-9 Application for examination for graduates of dental colleges accredited by the American Dental Association[.] Commission on Dental Accreditation. Any person of eighteen years or more shall be eligible to take an examination before the board upon submission of:

(1) An application on a form prescribed by the board to the executive secretary of the board not later than sixty days prior to the date of the scheduled examination;

(2) Application and examination fees; and

(3) Documentation and credentials that shall include but are not limited to the following:

(A) A diploma or certificate of graduation from a dental college accredited by the [Council of Dental Education of the] American Dental Association[,] Commission on Dental Accreditation, recognized and approved by the board; and

(B) A certificate or other evidence satisfactory to the board of having passed parts I and II of the [examination of the] National Board [of] Dental [Examiners.] Examination."

SECTION 3. Section 448-10, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§448-10 Examination; time. [(a)] The board shall require all applicants to take the state written and practical examination on dentistry. In administering the examination the State shall consider current trends in dental education. The requirements for the examination in operative and laboratory dentistry shall be decided by the board and mailed to each applicant. All instruments, materials, and patients shall be supplied by the applicant. Two examinations shall be held each year.

If the board is unable to administer an examination, a qualified applicant for the canceled board examination who has passed a regional or state examination satisfactory to the board within one year prior to the canceled board examination or who takes and passes a regional or state examination satisfactory to the board prior to the board’s next administered examination shall meet the board’s examination requirement.

[(b) The board shall establish and administer a restorative technique examination to all qualified applicants under section 448-9.5. In administering the examination the State shall consider current trends in dental education. No applicant shall be permitted to take the practical examination under subsection (a) unless the applicant has passed the restorative techniques examination.]"

SECTION 4. Section 448-9.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed.

["§448-9.5 Application for examination; graduates of foreign dental schools not accredited by the American Dental Association. (a) Any person of eighteen years or more, who is a graduate of a foreign dental school not accredited by the American Dental Association and a permanent resident of the United States shall be eligible to take an examination before the board upon submission of:

(1) An application on a form prescribed by the board to the executive secretary of the board not later than sixty days prior to the date of the scheduled examination;

(2) Application and examination fees; and

(3) Documentation and credentials that shall include but are not limited to the following:

(A) A complete transcript of the academic and clinical dental school record of the applicant, authenticated by either the president, secretary, dean, or registrar of the educational institution;

(B) A legible, true copy of the dental diploma or dental degree conferred upon the applicant as evidence of the completion of the courses of dental instruction required for graduation, authenticated by either the president, secretary, dean, or registrar of the educational institution;

(C) Certification by the licensing authority of the governmental jurisdiction, wherein is located the foreign institution from which the applicant was graduated that the applicant has been admitted or licensed to practice dentistry in that foreign state, country, or political subdivision;

(D) A certificate or other evidence satisfactory to the board of having passed parts I and II of the examination of the National Board of Dental Examiners; and

(E) Other documentation and credentials as may be required by the board.

(b) Credentials and documentation required by this section which are submitted in a foreign language shall be accompanied by a certified original translation by a qualified translator.

(c) When, because of circumstances beyond the applicant's control, an applicant is unable to furnish any of the documents, authentication, or certification required by this section, the board may in its discretion accept other documents which it deems satisfactory to establish the applicant's eligibility."]

SECTION 5. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.