[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 5, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H800-H801]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1645
                  ACTION FOR DENTAL HEALTH ACT OF 2023

  Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3843) to amend title III of the Public Health Service Act to 
reauthorize grants to address dental workforce needs.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 3843

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Action for Dental Health Act 
     of 2023''.

     SEC. 2. REAUTHORIZATION OF GRANTS TO ADDRESS DENTAL WORKFORCE 
                   NEEDS.

       Section 340G(f) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
     256g(f)) is amended by striking ``2019 through 2023'' and 
     inserting ``2024 through 2028''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. 
Schrier) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Kentucky.


                             General Leave

  Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material in the Record on the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Kentucky?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3843, the bipartisan Action 
for Dental Health Act led by Representative Simpson.
  Oral health plays an important role in the well-being of all 
Americans.
  According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, we 
will be facing a shortage of close to 9,000 general dentists and more 
than 23,000 dental hygienists over the next 15 years.
  The Action for Dental Health program directs Federal funding to State 
and local organizations to help support the dental workforce and 
improve access to care for patients.
  This bill reauthorizes this important program for a 5-year period and 
strengthens the impact of existing resources to enhance oral 
healthcare.
  Advancing early diagnosis and preventive dental treatments will 
improve the patient care and health outcomes. This reauthorization is 
an important step in addressing barriers to oral healthcare services.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the underlying bill, and 
I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. SCHRIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3843, the Action for Dental 
Health Act, sponsored by Representatives Kelly and Simpson.
  Access to oral healthcare is critical to ensuring a person's overall 
health and well-being. Too often, however, oral healthcare is 
overlooked. Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in both 
children and adults in the United States. In fact, more than one in 
four adults have untreated cavities, and nearly half of American adults 
show signs of gum disease.
  Clearly, we need to do more to expand access to oral healthcare, 
including strengthening the oral healthcare workforce.

[[Page H801]]

  The Action for Dental Health Act will reauthorize State oral health 
workforce improvement programs. These programs seek to enhance dental 
workforce planning and development through the support of innovative 
programs that meet the individual needs of each funded State.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in this effort to strengthen and 
expand access to oral healthcare. I encourage all of my colleagues to 
vote ``yes'' on H.R. 3843, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Idaho (Mr. Simpson), a dentist who is a Member of the House, chairman 
of the subcommittee on the Appropriations Committee, and my good 
friend.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Kentucky for 
yielding, and I thank both the gentleman from Kentucky and the 
gentlewoman from Washington for bringing this bill to the floor.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3843, the bipartisan 
reauthorization of the Action for Dental Health Act of 2023.
  First, I thank my colleague from Illinois, Congresswoman Robin Kelly, 
for her continued leadership on this issue. I was proud to partner with 
her in 2018 when the Action for Dental Health Act first passed, and I 
am pleased to see the House of Representatives working again in a 
bipartisan fashion to consider the reauthorization of the Action for 
Dental Health Act.
  Since its implementation, the Action for Dental Health Act has 
improved dental care in communities across the United States, 
strengthened the dental safety net, and brought disease prevention and 
education into underserved communities.
  This reauthorization is an essential step in continuing to address 
barriers to oral healthcare services that still exist, like tackling 
the oral health workforce issues and reducing the number of adults and 
children living with untreated dental disease.
  As a former dentist in Blackfoot, Idaho, I know that the more we can 
provide patients with an early diagnosis, the better off our patients 
and our oral healthcare system will be.
  As co-chair of the Congressional Oral Health Caucus, I am proud to, 
once again, join Congresswoman Kelly in this effort, and I encourage my 
colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this critical reauthorization so we can 
continue the work to decrease dental health disparities in communities 
where better access to care is most needed.
  Ms. SCHRIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the 
gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Kelly).
  Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank you for considering the 
Action for Dental Health Act that I am proud to co-lead with 
Representative  Mike Simpson.
  The Action for Dental Health Act was the first bill I passed when I 
arrived in Congress, and I am honored to see the continuing support for 
this important piece of legislation.
  Oral healthcare is a critical part of our overall health, and 
preventive dental care can reduce costs for families and helps so many 
people live better lives.
  Oral disease is a common risk factor with chronic diseases, such as 
cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Oral health affects our ability 
to eat, speak, and show emotions. It plays a crucial role in shaping an 
individual's self-esteem, academic performance, and attendance at work 
or school.
  Furthermore, many studies have shown a connection between poor oral 
health and increased mortality risk, showing that preventative oral 
healthcare not only enhances quality of life but also plays a pivotal 
role in promoting longevity and reducing mortality risk.

  Additionally, oral health is an important part of perinatal health. 
Reducing bacteria in a woman's mouth during pregnancy can significantly 
reduce her risk of developing oral diseases and spreading decay-causing 
bacteria to her baby. Moreover, some evidence suggests that women with 
periodontal disease during pregnancy could be at greater risk for poor 
birth outcomes, such as preeclampsia, preterm birth, and low 
birthweight.
  Regular preventive dental care is essential for good oral health, so 
one can find problems earlier when they are easier to treat and have 
better outcomes. Unfortunately, many don't get the care they need. More 
people are unable to afford dental care than other types of healthcare. 
Vulnerable populations, including children, low-income communities, 
minorities, and the elderly are particularly susceptible to 
experiencing limited access to dental care, leading to poorer oral 
health outcomes.
  We must address the barriers to oral healthcare services. By 
prioritizing early diagnosis, intervention, and preventive dental 
treatments, we can significantly improve the well-being of patients and 
alleviate strain on our healthcare system.
  I am proud the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, as well as 
the full committee, has recognized the urgent need to address this 
pressing challenge for so many Americans.
  The Action for Dental Health Act passed the Health Subcommittee and 
the full Energy and Commerce Committee with unanimous, bipartisan 
support.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Ms. SCHRIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, I speak now as a pediatrician. In addition to limiting 
children's consumption of sweet drinks and frequent snacking on 
carbohydrates, to providing fluoride for all of our patients, we 
absolutely need to expand the oral healthcare workforce to provide 
dental care for our patients.
  I encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 3843, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, in closing, this is an important piece of 
legislation. I thank my friends for bringing this forward. I urge my 
colleagues to support H.R. 3843, and I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 3843.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

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