Title: Dentists' Day on the Hill

Summary: Recognizes April 2, 2014, as "Dentists' Day on the Hill."

Full Text:
WHEREAS, studies show that good oral health may help prevent heart disease, arterial blockage, stroke, diabetes, preterm delivery, low-birth-weight babies, and bacterial pneumonia, and WHEREAS, the Florida Dental Association is promoting "Dentistry: Gateway to Good Health" to emphasize that oral health is directly linked to a person's overall health, and WHEREAS, the Florida Dental Association has developed "Mouth Wise," a dental health education kit designed to give children a basic understanding of their teeth, mouths, and gums; the importance of preventive dentistry; and the relationship of preventive dentistry to overall health care, and WHEREAS, the Florida Dental Association has also developed a "Mouth Wise" dental health education kit for middle school students which teaches the importance of dental health care and WHEREAS, in 1993, the Florida Dental Association joined efforts with the Florida Department of Health's Volunteer Health Care Provider Program to create "Project: Dentists Care," a dental access program that, from July 2012 to June 2013, provided care for underserved adults and children statewide, donating an estimated $11.9 million in services according to the Florida Dental Health Foundation, and WHEREAS, in February 2014, dentists in this state volunteered dental services for the annual "Give Kids A Smile" event, NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Florida: That April 2, 2014, is recognized as "Dentists' Day on the Hill." BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Florida Dental Associ ation as a tangible token of the sentiments expressed herein.