S.C.R. 4

1

DENTAL HEALTH CARE CONCURRENT
2 RESOLUTION
3 2010 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Patricia W. Jones
6 House Sponsor: David Litvack
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor expresses support for
11 the efforts of the Regence Caring Foundation for Children to provide dental care to
12 children from low income families who earn too much to qualify for public assistance.
13 Highlighted Provisions:
14 This resolution:
15 . expresses support for the efforts of the Regence Caring Foundation for Children to
16 provide dental care to children from families who do not qualify for government
17 assistance but cannot afford dental insurance; and
18 . encourages the citizens of Utah to learn more about the efforts of the Regence
19 Caring Foundation for Children to provide dental health services to Utah children
20 from low income families.
21 Special Clauses:
22 None
23
24 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
25 WHEREAS, tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease and is twice as
26 common among poor children as among their affluent peers;
27 WHEREAS, 48% of families served by the Regence Caring Foundation for Children

28 earn $25,000 per year or less, 60% are Hispanic or Latino with few or no resources for oral
29 health care services, and 46% of the patients are ages 5-10;
30 WHEREAS, more than damaging a healthy smile, poor dental care leaves children
31 susceptible to infection and disease that can affect sleep, schoolwork, and other childhood
32 activities;
33 WHEREAS, studies show that good oral health and general health are inseparable;
34 WHEREAS, serious dental disorders not only undermine self-image and esteem but
35 also pave the way to kidney, liver, and cardiovascular disease in later years, as well as
36 complications associated with diabetes;
37 WHEREAS, the harmful consequences of poor oral health can last a lifetime;
38 WHEREAS, since its inception in 1992, the Regence Caring Foundation for Children, a
39 tax-exempt charitable organization, has provided more than 27,240 children with free oral and
40 medical care and has received donations of more than $5.9 million in cash and in-kind services
41 to the foundation;
42 WHEREAS, since 2000, the Regence Caring Foundation for Children has partnered
43 with community donors and advocates to restore dental health to children in Utah and Idaho
44 whose family income disqualifies them from receiving government assistance, but is not
45 enough to afford dental insurance;
46 WHEREAS, through this unique partnership in Utah and Idaho communities, $3
47 million in oral health services has been provided;
48 WHEREAS, in Utah alone in 2009, the Regence Caring Foundation for Children
49 provided 1,556 children with comprehensive dental services at no cost to their families;
50 WHEREAS, the Regence Caring Foundation for Children's comprehensive dental
51 treatment plans include exams and x-rays, fillings, root canals, crowns, and oral surgeries;
52 WHEREAS, the Regence Caring Foundation for Children also provides educational
53 services to children throughout Utah, including workshops in low-income neighborhoods that
54 instruct both parents and children on oral hygiene techniques and healthy eating habits;
55 WHEREAS, the Foundation provides thousands of children with free oral health
56 supplies, such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, as well as nutritional snacks;
57 WHEREAS, the Regence Caring Foundation for Children continues to donate all of its
58 general administrative expenses, allowing 100% of the profits from fundraising events and

59 other donations to be utilized for free dental care services to children; and
60 WHEREAS, the Regence Caring Foundation for Children identifies new areas of
61 collaboration among community resources and examines new ways to strengthen the many
62 local relationships already in place to deliver dental care and services:
63 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
64 Governor concurring therein, express support for the Regence Caring Foundation for Children's
65 efforts to bring dental health services to Utah children in need.
66 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor encourage the
67 citizens of Utah to learn more about the efforts of the Regence Caring Foundation for Children
68 to provide dental health services to Utah children.




Legislative Review Note
as of 1-15-10 1:58 PM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel