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| 2021 -- H 5336 Enacted 02/04/2021 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY OF 2021 TO BE CHILDREN’S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH |
Introduced By: Representatives Kislak, Potter, McGaw, Morales, Williams, Donovan, Fogarty, McEntee, Cassar, and Felix |
| Date Introduced: February 04, 2021 |
| WHEREAS, February is Children's Dental Health month and provides an opportunity to |
| recognize that a child's health and well-being are essential to the quality of life. A healthy mouth |
| is essential for self-esteem, success in school and is a vital component for overall health, which |
| are meant to last a lifetime; and |
| WHEREAS, Good dental habits are learned at an early age, reinforced by examples set |
| by parents, caregivers, older siblings and in collaboration with dental healthcare providers; and |
| WHEREAS, A child's teeth help with digestion, formulating speech patterns, maintain |
| space for the adult teeth during the growth of the child through puberty and with proper care, |
| nutritional guidance and regular dental visits, will increase a child's chances of maintaining their |
| teeth throughout their lifetime; and |
| WHEREAS, Childhood cavities remain the most prevalent chronic curable disease of |
| childhood and some 100 million Americans fail to visit their dental office; and |
| WHEREAS, Members of the dental community and community organizations devoted to |
| increasing access to care are dedicated to caring for the dental health needs of Rhode Island's |
| most vulnerable population and provides access for children who otherwise may not receive basic |
| and preventive care; and |
| WHEREAS, The future is, to a large measure, dependent on educating our youth on the |
| importance of developing and maintaining smart dental habits and good dietary choices |
| throughout their lives, and by observing these measures, their teeth can remain healthy and strong |
| into adulthood; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby |
| recognizes the vital and often unrecognized benefits of a child's ability to access dental health |
| educational programs and receive dental treatment in promoting health for children and families |
| and urges all citizens and community organizations to recognize the observance of February as |
| National 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 certified copies to Director Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, Rhode Island |
| Department of Health, and Marie Jones-Bridges, CDA, RDH, PHDH, BS, Enterprise Clinical |
| Service Community Based Coordinator, RI Rite Smiles Dental. |
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