Declare Children's Dental Health Month

Senate Resolution No. 2292 BY: Senator CARLUCCI MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 2020, as Children's Dental Health Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with its time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to the dental societies, teachers, and parents who seek to promote the benefits of pediatric oral health early on and throughout a child's life; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 2020, as Children's Dental Health Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Children's Dental Health Month; and WHEREAS, National Children's Dental Health Month (NCDHM) is the American Dental Association's annual health observance month which brings together and engages devoted dental professionals, healthcare providers, and teachers from around the country in promoting the benefits of pediatric oral health early on and throughout a child's life; and WHEREAS, The National Month of pediatric oral health will be celebrating its Annual Children's Dental Health Month; and WHEREAS, Children's Dental Health Month began in 1941, as a single citywide Advocacy Day and celebration in Dayton, Ohio, and has since grown to become a month-long celebration of pediatric oral health across the country and at numerous military bases; and WHEREAS, Each year during this month, local observances of pediatric oral health occur in a variety of activities including health fairs, coloring and essay contests, classroom presentations, museum exhibits, and most notably free dental screenings through Give Kids A Smile; and WHEREAS, The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research report 42% of children ages 2 to 11 have had dental cavities and nearly

23% of these cases go untreated; it is events such as Children's Dental Health Month that allow for parents and children to learn proper pediatric oral health and the lifelong benefits of oral hygiene; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, the encouragement of pediatric oral health is of the utmost importance in securing a solid foundation of the overall health and well-being of every family and child in New York and the United States; and WHEREAS, Events which provide a means of promoting the health of America's future generations and which contribute to the prosperity and excellence of our great State and Nation, are held in the highest regard by this Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 2020, as Children's Dental Health Month in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.