[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 28, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E253]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    PRASAD CHILDREN'S HEALTH PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 28, 2001

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, February has been Children's Health Month. 
Today, on the last day of the month, it is an appropriate time to 
reflect on how important the health of our young people is to the 
future of our Nation. A strong, vibrant citizenry is the very keystone 
to our future. Today, in the wealthiest economy in the history of the 
world, there is no excuse to put the health of our boys and girls on 
the back burner.
  I have been made familiar with a program which performs such 
exemplarily health service that it is an appropriate model for health 
programs throughout the United States.
  The PRASAD Children's Dental Health Program (CDHP) voluntarily serves 
all the young people in Sullivan County, New York. It provides health 
education, fluoride with parental consent, and restorative care through 
a mobile clinic that travels to every school district in Sullivan 
County.
  The outstanding volunteers of PRASAD Children's Dental Health Program 
go into the schools to educate the children, provide free toothbrushes, 
and help fight the scourge of tooth decay and gum disease.
  The program is targeted to children who qualify for the free lunch 
program, have Medicaid or Child Health Plus for their insurance, or who 
have no dental insurance. The health education and fluoride prevention 
aspects of the program are available to all children, regardless of 
parental income.
  PRASAD CDHP has been in existence for five years and is supported 
wholly with private donations.
  Mr. Speaker, tooth and gum disease is the number one chronic health 
problem of children in our nation. It is five times more common than 
asthma, and seven times more common than hay fever. It is estimated 
that 18 million school hours are lost each year by children due to 
dental problems.
  I am greatly impressed by the outstanding service performed by the 
PRASAD Children's Dental Health Program. Dyan Campbell who is the 
national Program Director, is seeking the wherewithal to expand the 
program nationwide. I believe that Ms. Campbell and her program are 
deserving of our support and our kudos.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite all of our colleagues to join with me in 
saluting this truly outstanding program--a role model for our nation's 
children's dental health.

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