S.Res. 182Senate108th Congress (2003-2005)In Committee

A resolution 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.

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SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S8445)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

June 24, 2003

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

June 24, 2003

SenateIntro Referral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8445)

June 24, 2003

SenateIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S8445)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

June 24, 2003

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about S.Res. 182 on the floor

1 Democrat

Sen. Debbie StabenowD-MI · Jun 24, 2003

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…

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 disadvantage 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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Introduced in SenateIssued June 24, 2003

        [Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 182 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

108th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 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.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

June 24, 2003

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

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

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.

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;
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.
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