2023 -- H 5528

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LC001507

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY OF 2023, TO BE "CHILDREN'S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH"

IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Kislak, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, McGaw,
Kennedy, Tanzi, Fenton-Fung, Ajello, and Cortvriend

     Date Introduced: February 14, 2023

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The recognition of February as Children’s Dental Health Month provides an

opportunity to highlight a child’s dental health as being a critical component of overall well-being

and essential to a child’s quality of life. A healthy mouth is meant to last a lifetime and

contributes to an individual’s self-esteem; and

     WHEREAS, Good dental care begins as early as age one with good habits that are

reinforced through examples set by parents, caregivers, and older siblings in collaboration with

dental healthcare providers; and

     WHEREAS, Childhood cavities remain the most prevalent, chronic, and curable disease

of childhood but some 100 million Americans fail to visit their dental office for routine

preventive care; and

     WHEREAS, Sealants, a protective thin coating placed on the chewing surface of a child’s

adult molar, as soon as the tooth appears in the mouth, have been shown to be a cost effective

method of preventing cavities beginning in early childhood. Untreated cavities can cause pain,

infection, problems with eating, and speaking difficulties; and

     WHEREAS, Sixty percent of children aged six through eleven do not receive sealants

and children from low-income families are 20 percent less likely to get sealants. Dental sealants,

once applied, protect against 80 percent of cavities for two years and continue to protect against

50 percent of cavities for up to four years; and

     WHEREAS, Dentists, dental hygienists and other qualified dental professionals can apply

sealants in the dental office, school-based sealant programs, mobile dental clinics, and

community settings; and

     WHEREAS, We should all be working collectively to support the dental community,

school-based dental health programs, and community organizations in advocating for increased

overall access to preventive programs that support sealant programs which in the long-term

reduces the future need for extensive and costly dental treatments; and

     WHEREAS, Dental professionals, school administrators, state officials, and parents

should advocate for dental health educational and treatment programs for children and families;

now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

urges all citizens and community organizations to observe February as National Children’s Dental

Health Month; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this House hereby proclaims February of 2023, to be "Children’s

Dental Health Month" in the State of Rhode Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Ms. Marie Jones-Bridges, PHDH, BS, United

Healthcare, Rhode Island Community Based Coordinator, Specialty Benefits, Rhode Island Rite

Smile Dental.

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LC001507

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