LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim February 2016 as Oral Health Awareness Month in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official
months that are set aside to increase awareness of health issues that
affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to memori-
alize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 2016 as Oral Health
Awareness Month in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Oral Health Awareness Month recognizes the importance of oral
health as a part of overall health and supporting efforts to improve the
oral health of all in New York State; and
WHEREAS, Oral health is a critical component of overall health affect-
ing speech, nutrition, growth and function, social development, employa-
bility and productivity, and quality of life; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Prevention Agenda 2013-17: New York
State's Health Improvement Plan, and the New York State Oral Health Plan
identifies dental caries, or tooth decay, as the most common chronic
disease among children; and
WHEREAS, Goal No. 5 under Child Health in the State's Health Improve-
ment Plan proposes to reduce prevalence of dental caries among New York
State children by 10% by year 2017, by achieving specific objectives
that promote awareness and access to care for children; and
WHEREAS, Untreated dental disease is linked to adverse health outcomes
associated with diabetes, stroke, heart disease, bacterial pneumonia,
preterm and low birth weight deliveries, and in some instances, death;
and
WHEREAS, Nationally, employed adults lose more than 164 million hours
of work each year and students miss more than 51 million hours of school
due to dental disease or dental visits; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 3.4 million New York children will experience
tooth decay by high school graduation; and
WHEREAS, Access to dental care is associated with higher utilization
of preventive and restorative dental services; and
WHEREAS, New York State residents deserve access to high-quality oral
health care; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this health issue, and more must be done to increase activity at the
local, state and national levels to improve health and healthcare
outcomes for those affected by dental disease; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 2016 as Oral
Health Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.