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PRINTER'S NO. 256
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
58
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY ACOSTA, V. BROWN, KOTIK, KINSEY, BISHOP, FRANKEL,
HENNESSEY, ROZZI, BROWNLEE, SCHLOSSBERG, YOUNGBLOOD, THOMAS,
DRISCOLL, DUSH, SONNEY, LONGIETTI, KIM, DiGIROLAMO, KILLION,
COHEN, C. PARKER, CALTAGIRONE, J. HARRIS, GRELL, READSHAW,
O'BRIEN, W. KELLER, D. COSTA, MILLARD, WHEELAND, WATSON AND
ROSS, FEBRUARY 2, 2015
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
FEBRUARY 2, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing February 2015 as "National Children's Dental Health
Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA)
sponsors "National Children's Dental Health Month" to raise
awareness about the importance of children's oral and dental
health; and
WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), tooth decay, although preventable, is one of
the most chronic diseases among children; and
WHEREAS, Data from the CDC's 2009-2010 National Health and
Nutrition Examination Survey revealed that 14% of children three
to five years of age had untreated dental cavities or tooth
decay, known as dental caries; and
WHEREAS, The survey also revealed that 17% of children six to
nine years of age had untreated dental caries and 11% of
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adolescents 13 to 15 years of age had untreated dental caries;
and
WHEREAS, The CDC further found that children three to nine
years of age living at or below 100% of the Federal poverty
level had a significantly higher incidence of untreated dental
caries compared to children living above the poverty level; and
WHEREAS, The CDC estimates that 80% of children in the United
States have experienced tooth decay; and
WHEREAS, In January, the Action for Dental Health Act of 2015
(H.R.539) was introduced in the United States House of
Representatives to authorize the CDC to award oral health grants
to support volunteer dental projects and collaborative
initiatives to, among other things, improve oral health
education and dental disease prevention and improve essential
oral health care for lower income individuals; and
WHEREAS, Good health, both physical and mental, is enhanced
through sound oral and dental health habits, which are learned
early and reinforced throughout life; and
WHEREAS, Tooth decay frequently results in pain, weight loss
and poor speech and appearance, all of which greatly reduces a
child's ability to learn and succeed academically and socially;
and
WHEREAS, The continued progress and economic prosperity of
this Commonwealth is, in large part, dependent upon the total
good health of its children; and
WHEREAS, It is in the public interest of this Commonwealth to
educate, assess, promote and improve good oral and dental health
among all children; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize
February 2015 as "National Children's Dental Health Month" to
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increase public awareness of the importance of good oral and
dental health of all children; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives strongly support
the efforts of all institutions, agencies and entities, both
public and private, entrusted with the health of the residents
of this Commonwealth in observing February 2015 with appropriate
educational activities and programs designed to recognize
"National Children's Dental Health Month" and the ADA's 2015
theme, "Defeat Monster Mouth."
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