[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 59 (Friday, April 11, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S5386]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. SARBANES (for himself and Ms. Mikulski):
  S.J. Res. 12. A joint resolution recognizing the Dr. Samuel D. Harris 
National Museum of Dentistry located at 31 South Greene Street in 
Baltimore, Maryland, as the official national museum of dentistry in 
the United States; to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation, 
together with Senator Mikulski, to recognize the Dr. Samuel D. Harris 
National Museum of Dentistry, in Baltimore, as the official national 
museum of dentistry in the United States.
  The principal purpose of this legislation is to help educate the 
public about the critical importance of oral health to the overall 
health of all Americans. Three years ago, United States Surgeon General 
David Satcher issued a comprehensive report entitled ``Oral Health in 
America,'' which identified the problem of dental and oral disease as a 
``silent epidemic'' facing the country. The report found that tooth 
decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, which often 
interferes with vital functions such as eating, swallowing, and speech. 
Children around the country miss an estimated 51 million hours of 
school each year due to dental illness. Despite Federal law mandating 
that children eligible for Medicaid be given access to dental services, 
fewer than one in five of these children actually receive dental care. 
In addition, close to one in four Americans between the ages of 65 and 
74 were found to suffer from periodontal disease, and over 8,000 men 
and women die from oral and pharyngeal cancers each year.
  The report called for the development of a National Oral Health Plan, 
and recommended that actions be taken to ``change perceptions regarding 
oral health and disease so that oral health becomes an accepted 
component of general health.'' By designating an official national 
museum and learning center dedicated to dentistry, this legislation 
takes an important step toward the achievement of this goal.
  The Dr. Samuel D. Harris National museum of Dentistry is the largest 
and most comprehensive museum of dentistry in this country, and, 
indeed, the world. An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the 
Museum sits on the grounds of the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, 
founded in 1840 as the world's first dental college. Many of the 
museum's permanent exhibits come directly from the College's vast 
historical collections. Housed in a building that served as the 
University of Maryland Dental Department from 1904 to 1929, the Museum 
is located directly adjacent to historic Davidge Hall, the Western 
Hemisphere's oldest medical building in continuous use.
  In 1992, a retired pediatric dentist, Dr. Samuel D. Harris of 
Detroit, contributed $1 million of his personal funds toward the 
development of the Museum. He has since made further considerable gifts 
to the Museum's endowment, reaffirming his belief that education is the 
hallmark of preventive oral care. The Museum's name honors both his 
generosity and his mission.
  With over 7,000 square feet of exhibit space, the Museum showcases 
the people, objects, and events that created and defined the dental 
profession, including one of George Washington's famed ivory dentures. 
The Museum's vast archives also act as an important resource for 
research and serious academic study of dentistry's past, with a unique 
collection of historical dental journals and other one-of-a-kind 
documents. Included in these collections are the first known dental 
degree and dental license.
  While its informative presentation of dentistry's history constitutes 
an important part of the Museum's exhibitions, its mission extends much 
further, with the ultimate goal of educating the public about the 
critical importance of oral health. The Museum's interactive exhibits 
make it particularly effective in this regard, and over 26,000 students 
have benefited from the Museum's vigorous educational programs since 
its opening in 1996.
  By designating the Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry as 
the official national museum of dentistry, we will not only recognize 
the critical role that dentists and oral health professionals have 
played in the history of our Nation's health care system, but enhance 
awareness and understanding of the importance of dentistry to public 
health.
  The Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry has been endorsed 
by the American Dental Association, the American Association of Dental 
Schools, Oral Health America, the Pierre Fauchard Academy, the American 
College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, and the 
American Academy of the History of Dentistry. I ask unanimous consent 
that the text of a letter from the American Dental Association in 
support of this legislation be printed in the Record.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
  There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                   American Dental Association

                                   Washington, DC, March 12, 2003.
     Hon. Paul Sarbanes,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Sarbanes: On behalf of the 147,000 members of 
     the American Dental Association, we write to express our 
     strong support for your resolution to recognize the Dr. 
     Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry, located in 
     Baltimore, Maryland, as the official national museum of 
     dentistry in the United States.
       As the most comprehensive dental museum in the world, it is 
     a national and international resource whose primary mission 
     is to educate people, especially children, about the history 
     of dentistry and the importance of good oral hygiene. The 
     museum uses state-of-the-art, interactive exhibitions and 
     expert presentations to deliver the message that oral health 
     is important to achieve overall health. Currently, the museum 
     is displaying an exhibit entitled, ``The Future is Now! 
     African Americans in Dentistry.''
       The museum is affiliated with the University of Maryland at 
     Baltimore, home of the world's first dental school, founded 
     in 1840. it contains hundreds of interesting and significant 
     dental artifacts, not the least of which is George 
     Washington's dentures. It also serves as a national center of 
     learning with an extensive library from which scholars may 
     study the evolution of dental treatment and learn of the 
     numerous accomplishments of the dental profession over the 
     years.
       The museum is endorsed by the American Dental Association, 
     National Dental Association, American Dental Education 
     Association, American College of Dentists, International 
     College of Dentists, and the American Academy of the History 
     of Dentistry among others.
       Thank you for recognizing the museum, which is truly a 
     national treasure.
           Sincerely,
     T. Howard Jones, D.M.D.,
       President.
     James B. Bramson, D.D.S.,
       Executive Director.

                          ____________________