[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 19 (Wednesday, February 6, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E118]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO NATIONAL CHILDREN'S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL K. SIMPSON

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 6, 2008

  Mr. SIMPSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to National 
Children's Dental Health Month. Each February, the American Dental 
Association sponsors National Children's Dental Health Month to raise 
awareness about the importance of oral health. As a part of their 
awareness efforts, dentists and dental hygienists from across the 
country and in my home State of Idaho join together and volunteer their 
time to provide free care to children.
  As a dentist, I understand the need for children to receive proper 
dental care. This includes going to the dentist regularly for check-ups 
and treatment when problems arise. Oral health is critical to a 
person's overall health and means more than healthy teeth. Research 
continues to show that many diseases and conditions show themselves in 
the mouth. For people who don't have access to dental care, oral 
disease is almost 100 percent inevitable--and almost 100 percent 
preventable.
  This is particularly heartbreaking when it affects our children. 
Children with poor oral health can have problems eating, sleeping 
properly, paying attention in school and even smiling, because they 
suffer constant pain. Unfortunately, many of us don't realize the 
extent and severity of untreated dental disease in children.
  In my State of Idaho, over 35 percent of children lack dental 
insurance. More than 25 percent of elementary school-aged children in 
Idaho suffer from untreated tooth decay. If the problems go untreated, 
a child will often end up in a hospital emergency or operating room, 
which costs far more than a trip to the dentist.
  Hundreds of dentists and oral healthcare providers in Idaho and 
across the country donate their time and energy to help this cause, and 
I graciously thank them. While National Children's Dental Health Month 
will not solve the issues of access to oral healthcare by itself, it is 
a great opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of oral health 
and provide care to our most important and vulnerable resource--our 
children.

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