| R 116 |
| 2020 -- S 2339 Enacted 02/12/2020 |
| S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N |
| RECOGNIZING FEBRUARY, 2020, AS "NATIONAL CHILDREN’S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH" IN RHODE ISLAND |
| Introduced By: Senators Nesselbush, Ruggerio, Algiere, Satchell, and Metts |
| Date Introduced: February 12, 2020 |
| WHEREAS, February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and provides an |
| opportunity to recognize the importance of optimal oral health. Healthy teeth are essential for |
| self-esteem, success in school and are a vital component for overall health. They are meant to last |
| a lifetime; and |
| WHEREAS, On January 25, 2020, the United States celebrated the 75th Anniversary of |
| Community Water Fluoridation. Fluoride strengthens teeth at the level of 0.7 milligrams per liter |
| of water, roughly the same as a grain of salt in a pail of water. Water systems in four out of five |
| Rhode Island counties have adjusted to safe and effective fluoride levels since 1955; and |
| WHEREAS, Fluoridation is recognized by the Centers for Disease Control, also known |
| as the CDC, as both cost-saving and the single most effective public health measure to prevent |
| tooth decay helping not only children but all individuals, irrespective of income or education |
| level; and |
| WHEREAS, Our state’s water systems are key partners in oral health and the Rhode |
| Island Department of Health, on behalf of the CDC, presented awards to Cumberland, Newport, |
| Pawtucket, and Providence, in recognition of achieving the recommended level of fluoridation for |
| 12 consecutive months within their water system; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations |
| hereby urges all citizens and community organizations to observe February as “National |
| Children’s Dental Health Month” to encourage success in our children by educating on the |
| importance of smart dental habits, good dietary choices and fluoridated water so their teeth can |
| remain healthy and strong into adulthood; 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 Director Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, |
| Rhode Island Department of Health, and Marie Jones-Bridges, CDA, RDH, PHDH, BS, |
| Enterprise Clinical Service Community Based Coordinator, RI Rite Smiles Dental. |
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| LC004140 |
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