My dentist takes great pride in that ad, just as I take great pride in all of you. Lives will be saved because of your extraordinary effort. But the real challenge is what happens after this week. I believe these screenings should serve as a long overdue wake-up call about the dangers of oral cancer. Making Americans aware of the need to screen for oral cancer - and the link between good of oral health and good health generally is not your responsibility alone.
Government also has a critical role to play.
That's why we've made dental and craniofacial research a growing part of our Department's mission. Of the 52 states and territories that have had their plans approved - only three have no dental coverage. Along the same lines, we want to make sure that children on Medicaid have access to preventive dental care. I should add that Robin Ventura of the Mets and Paul O'Neill of the Yankees participated in a public service campaign that aired at several ballparks over the Memorial Day weekend promoting World No Tobacco Day. Perhaps, most important, next year we will release the first Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health.