H.R. 28 Summary

• Request Department of Health to create a formal plan implementing oral health recommendations from the 2019 "E Ola Mau a Mau: The Next Generation of Native Hawaiian Health" report by Papa Ola Lokahi.

• Plan must address seven key areas: oral health integration with overall health, increased oral health literacy, diversified oral health workforce development in rural areas, prevention investment, access improvement and disparity reduction, culturally-adapted programs, and systematic data collection.

• Department of Health must collaborate with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in developing the plan.

• Department of Health must submit a report to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2024 Regular Session, including findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation.

• Report recognizes that Native Hawaiian adults have higher tooth loss rates and Native Hawaiian children have higher tooth decay rates compared to Caucasian and Japanese populations, with barriers including low socioeconomic status, rural residence, and insufficient funding for dental care access.