[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 15954-15955]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 182--CONGRATULATING THE AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION 
  FOR ESTABLISHING THE ``GIVE KIDS A SMILE'' PROGRAM, EMPHASIZING THE 
   NEED TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO DENTAL CARE FOR CHILDREN, AND THANKING 
DENTISTS FOR VOLUNTEERING THEIR TIME TO HELP PROVIDE NEEDED DENTAL CARE

  Ms. STABENOW submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 182

       Whereas access to dental care for children is a vital 
     element of overall health care and development;
       Whereas dental caries--more commonly known as tooth decay--
     is the most common chronic childhood disease;

[[Page 15955]]

       Whereas untreated tooth decay in children results in 
     thousands of children experiencing poor eating and sleeping 
     patterns, suffering decreased attention spans at school, and 
     being unable to smile;
       Whereas, due to a confluence of factors, children eligible 
     for Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance 
     Program are 3 to 5 times more likely than other children to 
     have untreated tooth decay;
       Whereas dentists provide an estimated $1,700,000,000 
     annually in nonreimbursed dental care;
       Whereas dentists participating in the American Dental 
     Association established the ``Give Kids a Smile'' program to 
     serve as a reminder to the Nation about the need to end 
     untreated childhood dental disease; and
       Whereas the ``Give Kids a Smile'' program treated an 
     estimated 1,000,000 children on February 21, 2003, at 
     approximately 5,000 locations in all 50 States: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the American Dental Association for 
     establishing the ``Give Kids a Smile'' program;
       (2) emphasizes the need to improve access to dental care 
     for children; and
       (3) thanks the thousands of dentists who volunteered their 
     time and brought a smile to faces of an estimated 1,000,000 
     children on February 21, 2003.

  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, someone once said, ``A smile costs 
nothing, but gives much. It enriches those who receive, without making 
poorer those that give.'' I rise today to offer a resolution to 
congratulate the American Dental Association for establishing the 
``Give Kids a Smile'' program.
  This program emphasizes the need to improve dental care access for 
children. Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease. 
Tooth decay can cause poor eating and sleeping patterns, decreased 
attention spans at school, and sadly, prevents children from showing 
their smiles.
  Low income children are much more likely to suffer from tooth decay. 
Children who are eligible for Medicaid and State Children's Health 
Insurance Program, SCHIP, are 3 to 5 times more likely than other 
children to have untreated tooth decay. The ``Give Kids a Smile'' 
program is helping these children.
  Along with helping children get the dental care that they need, this 
program brings attention to the fact that this is a serious issue that 
children in our nation are facing. This program provides for and 
promotes education on dental care, good dental hygiene, dental 
screenings, exams and radiographs, and even gives sealants and 
fillings.
  On February 21st, my State, Michigan, brought healthier teeth and 
brighter smiles to 12,800 low-income and disadvantaged children. Nearly 
1 million children were treated nationwide.
  Dentists, such as Dr. John Buchheister, Dr. Sara Wassenaar, Dr. Dale 
Nester, Dr. Martha Bamfield, and Dr. Gary Schluckebier in Michigan, 
volunteered their time, resources, and services to give children dental 
screenings, exams, sealants, and fillings.
  Nearly 8,300 children in Michigan also listened to dental education 
presentations by dental professionals.
  I am pleased to stand here today and congratulate the American Dental 
Association for their leadership on this important children's health 
issue and for establishing the ``Give Kids a Smile'' program.
  I also want to thank the Michigan Dental Association for 
participating in this program and I want to thank all of the dentists 
in Michigan and across the Nation that took the time to make the 
inaugural ``Give Kids a Smile'' day a great success. After all, ``A 
smile can open a heart faster than a key can open a door.''

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