WASHINGTON,
DC –
After passing the House of Representatives last week, bipartisan legislation
to improve access to dental health services will head to the President’s desk
to be signed into law. Senators Mazie K. Hirono, Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Bill
Cassidy (R-La.), and Tim Scott (R-S.C.)
introduced the
legislation, the
Action
for Dental Health Act of 2018, in June. The bill passed the Senate
by unanimous consent in October.
“Dental
health is critical to overall health outcomes, but far too many individuals and
families in Hawaii are unable to access the dental care they need,” Senator
Hirono said. “I thank my Senate and House colleagues for supporting the
Action for Dental Health Act, which will expand access to critical dental care
services, especially in rural and underserved communities. By increasing access
to regular and preventive care for the people of Hawaii, we can avoid more
serious health outcomes down the road.”
"Expanding
access to oral health in underserved communities is critically important for
Hawaii," said Hawaii Dental Association President Dr. Robert Baysa.
"Hawaii keiki have consistently lagged in key measures of oral health. We
are encouraged that this legislation will make a difference."
“Oral
health is an important part of overall health and well-being, but many
individuals – especially those from underserved communities – lack access to
dental health essential services,” Senator Booker said. “This bipartisan
bill is a meaningful step toward increasing families’ access to oral health
treatment and preventive services. I’m grateful to my partners in Congress for
their bipartisan leadership on this important issue.”
"Dental
health and oral care are important facets of overall health. The zip code you
are born in shouldn't affect your access to good care and education," Senator
Scott said. "I am glad that both houses of Congress have passed the
Action for Dental Health Act and look forward to it being signed into law. I
have no doubt that this will positively impact those in underserved
communities."
“Soon
this bill will be signed into law by President Trump, giving underserved
communities and disadvantaged patients better access to oral health care and education,”
Dr. Cassidy said. “I’m proud to have worked on a bipartisan basis to
pass this bill.”
The
legislation will create the Action for Dental
Health Program, which seeks to improve oral health by increasing
prevention and reducing barriers to dental services, particularly for
underserved rural and urban communities in order to reach vulnerable
populations. The Action for Dental Health Act
also expands a grant program to encourage states to strengthen their oral health workforce in areas of need.
The
Senate’s companion bill in the House,
H.R.
2422, was introduced by Representatives Robin Kelly (D-Illinois) and
Mike Simpson, DMD (R-Idaho). America’s leading dental health organizations
support the Action for Dental Health Act, including the American Dental
Association, the National Dental Association, American Dental Education
Association, Academy of General Dentistry, Oral Health America, American
Association of Women Dentists, and several other groups.
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