THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2926

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to dentistry.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that proper certification of dental assistants employed in the State is necessary to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of the State's citizens.  Currently, Hawaii is one of only a handful of states that does not require certification of dental assistants.  This lack of certification exposes the State's citizens to unnecessary risks whereas proper certification from a respected national board will help ensure that the State's citizens are receiving the best available care.

     The legislature also finds that the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc., is a national certification board for dental assistants that currently certifies more than thirty-seven thousand dental assistants nationwide.  Moreover, the Dental Assisting National Board's certified dental assistant certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require all dental assistants employed in the State to obtain and maintain certification as a certified dental assistant by the Dental Assisting National Board.

     SECTION 2.  Section 448-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  A duly licensed and registered dentist may employ auxiliary personnel, other than registered dental hygienists, to assist the dentist in the practice of dentistry.  These employees shall be known as dental assistants and shall perform all duties assigned to them under the supervision, direction, and responsibility of the dentist.  Duties of the dental assistant and regulatory directives shall be delineated under rules which the board of dental examiners may from time to time adopt[.]; provided that all dental assistants employed in the State prior to July 1, 2018, shall obtain and maintain certification as a certified dental assistant from the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc., no later than July 1, 2019, and all dental assistants employed in the State after July 1, 2018, shall obtain and maintain certification as a certified dental assistant from the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc., no later than one hundred twenty days after the date of employment."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Dental Assistants; Certification; Dental Assisting National Board

 

Description:

Requires all dental assistants to obtain certification from the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc., as certified dental assistants no later than July 1, 2019, or no later than one hundred twenty days after the date of employment.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.