National Children's Dental Health Month

Floor Speech

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Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, February is National Children's Dental Health Month.

During this month, we raise awareness about the importance of oral health, especially for America's kids. Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease--five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever. Oral health status is directly tied to academic achievement and school attendance.

One way we can fix this is by passing my Action for Dental Health Act, H.R. 2422, which was unanimously reported out of the Energy and Commerce Committee on September 25. This bipartisan bill is cosponsored by 83 Members and supported by the American Dental Association, the National Dental Association, the American Dental Education Association, and 39 other advocacy groups.

Once enacted, this bill will empower the CDC to deliver more and better healthcare to underserved populations, especially urban and rural communities, and increase education about the importance of oral health.

I am proud to be working with Congressman Mike Simpson from Idaho on this bipartisan bill. I ask the Speaker to schedule a vote on the bill before the end of National Children's Dental Health Month.

Lastly, I would like to wish my colleagues and constituents a Happy Valentine's Day.

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