[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 27, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E222]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          FEBRUARY IS NATIONAL CHILDREN'S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBIN L. KELLY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 27, 2019

  Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Madam Speaker, February is National Children's 
Dental Health month--an opportunity that brings together thousands of 
dedicated professionals, healthcare providers, and educators to promote 
the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, 
teachers and many others.
  Each year, millions of Americans suffer from untreated dental 
disease. Tooth decay remains the most common, chronic childhood 
disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 
about 20 percent of children ages 5 to 11 suffer from tooth decay, 
despite the fact that it is a completely preventable disease. Children 
from low-income families are twice as likely to have cavities compared 
to children from higher-income households.
  Give Kids A Smile (GKAS), sponsored by the Foundation of the American 
Dental Association, is an annual centerpiece during National Children's 
Dental Health Month. Give Kids a Smile Day is one of the most important 
events for children and dentists in this country. Thousands of dentists 
and volunteers give their time to provide free oral health education, 
screenings, and treatment to underserved children. Since 2003, more 
than 5.5 million children have been cared for by more than half a 
million volunteers. Programs like this will continue throughout the 
year.
  I'm happy to have led the passage of legislation that supports 
programs such as Give Kids A Smile and other initiatives aimed at 
providing greater access to care. The Action for Dental Health Act 
supports a nationwide, community-based movement focused on delivering 
care now to people suffering from dental disease, strengthening and 
growing the public and private safety net to provide more care to more 
Americans, and expanding dental health education and disease prevention 
within underserved communities.
  Ensuring that children and adults receive accessible, quality oral 
health care should remain a priority for all of us. Thank you for 
supporting dentistry and the oral health of our nation's most 
vulnerable population.

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