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Action for Dental Health Act of 2023

Floor Speech

Date: March 5, 2024
Location: Washington, DC

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Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3843) to amend title III of the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize grants to address dental workforce needs.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3843

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Action for Dental Health Act of 2023''. SEC. 2. REAUTHORIZATION OF GRANTS TO ADDRESS DENTAL WORKFORCE NEEDS.

Section 340G(f) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 256g(f)) is amended by striking ``2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``2024 through 2028''.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3843, the bipartisan Action for Dental Health Act led by Representative Simpson.

Oral health plays an important role in the well-being of all Americans.

According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, we will be facing a shortage of close to 9,000 general dentists and more than 23,000 dental hygienists over the next 15 years.

The Action for Dental Health program directs Federal funding to State and local organizations to help support the dental workforce and improve access to care for patients.

This bill reauthorizes this important program for a 5-year period and strengthens the impact of existing resources to enhance oral healthcare.

Advancing early diagnosis and preventive dental treatments will improve the patient care and health outcomes. This reauthorization is an important step in addressing barriers to oral healthcare services.
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Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, in closing, this is an important piece of legislation. I thank my friends for bringing this forward. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3843, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

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