R 079

2019 -- S 0244 Enacted 02/05/2019

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, 2019 AS "CHILDREN’S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Senators Nesselbush, Lombardi, Satchell, Felag, and McKenney

Date Introduced: February 05, 2019

WHEREAS, Children's teeth are meant to last a lifetime, and a healthy smile is important

to a child's self-esteem; and

WHEREAS, Proper care, a balanced diet, and regular dental visits help prevent oral

problems from occurring in the first place and catch those that do occur in the early stages, while

they are easy to treat; and

WHEREAS, Overall well-being can be achieved in part by educating our children on the

importance of proper dental health; and

WHEREAS, By educating our youth on the importance of developing and maintaining

smart dental habits throughout their lives, their teeth can remain healthy and strong into

adulthood; and

WHEREAS, Through collaborative efforts between the state, community stakeholders

and the dental community, oral health services are promoted in private and community-based

settings, which are preventive and culturally appropriate, while advocating for and promoting oral

health interventions that address oral health issues; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby recognizes and acknowledges the vital role dental professionals, parents, caregivers, and

educators have on children to re-enforce the value of good dental health, even as early as age one;

and be it further

RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby proclaims the month of February, 2019 to be

"Children's Dental Health Month"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the President of the Rhode Island Dental

Association, and Marie Jones-Bridges, CDA, RDH-PHDH, BS, UnitedHealthcare-RI Community

Based Coordinator.

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LC000711

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