Senate Resolution No. 1628

BY: Senator THOMAS

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
February 2024, 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 Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 2024, 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 Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 2024, 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 Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.