[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 30 (Thursday, February 13, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H1143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           OBSERVING NATIONAL CHILDREN'S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH

  (Mr. VAN DREW asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. VAN DREW. Madam Speaker, February is National Children's Dental 
Health Month. This month is a time when healthcare professionals, 
providers, and educators help promote good oral health practices to 
children, families, and many others.
  Tooth decay is still the number one chronic infectious disease among 
children in the United States.
  Throughout my career as a dentist, I can attest to the benefits of 
proper oral health and how important it is to focus on children from a 
very young age. Preventive measures like brushing, flossing, and 
rinsing correctly are important life lessons that should be learned 
from a young age.
  I would also like to recognize the American Dental Association for 
their strenuous work in this area. They have implemented the Give Kids 
A Smile program. It provides hundreds of thousands of underserved kids 
with free oral health education, screenings, and preventive and/or 
restorative services throughout the entire year.
  It is a very much needed program, and I am personally very proud of 
the American Dental Association for the work that they do in this area.

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