Bill > SB481

This bill aims to address dental care access issues in Hawaii by modifying the community service license (CSL) requirements for dentists. The legislation allows dental graduates from Canadian dental colleges accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada to be eligible for a CSL, removing previous restrictions that limited applicants to only U.S. dental school graduates. The bill eliminates several existing barriers to obtaining a CSL, including repealing the requirement that licensing examinations be completed within five years, removing the need to provide an out-of-state dental license, and lifting the prohibition against individuals who previously failed licensing exams. Most significantly, the bill introduces a new provision that automatically converts a CSL to a full, unrestricted dental practice license after the provider completes 5,000 hours of community service to patients in the state. This change is intended to increase the number of dental providers serving medically underserved populations, particularly those enrolled in med-QUEST (Hawaii's Medicaid program), where current dental care access is critically low - with only 50% of eligible children and 11% of eligible adults receiving dental care in 2023. The legislature argues that this approach will help address the state's dental care shortage by expanding the pool of potential providers and providing a clear pathway to full licensure for those serving community needs.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=481&year=2026