S.C.R. 3

             1     

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE SCHOOL OF

             2     
DENTISTRY SERVING UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN

             3     
2014 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: Patricia W. Jones

             6     
House Sponsor: Marie H. Poulson

             7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      General Description:
             10          This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor urges that cooperative
             11      efforts be undertaken to improve the oral health of Utah's underserved population.
             12      Highlighted Provisions:
             13          This resolution:
             14          .    urges that oral health for the underserved population of Utah be addressed by the
             15      cooperative efforts of government, health care training programs, practicing health
             16      care professionals, business and community leaders, and insurance companies; and
             17          .    recognizes the University of Utah's School of Dentistry for its commitment to serve
             18      these underserved populations with critical prevention and intervention dental care
             19      and to work closely with the other vested parties to improve the oral health
             20      management of these very vulnerable groups.
             21      Special Clauses:
             22          None
             23     
             24      Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
             25          WHEREAS, untreated dental disease can lead to serious health problems such as major
             26      local and systemic infections, loss of oral function, damage to bone or nerves, tooth loss, and
             27      even death, as well as adverse cosmetic consequences;


             28          WHEREAS, oral health is essential for overall medical management and must not be
             29      neglected, especially in children;
             30          WHEREAS, the fact that a large percentage of the underserved pediatric and adult
             31      patients in the state of Utah do not have access to adequate oral care due to a lack of sufficient
             32      resources, putting them at risk for serious disease consequences is of particular concern;
             33          WHEREAS, for example, the 22% of Utah children who are not covered by either
             34      private or governmental insurance programs are five times more likely to have significant
             35      unmet dental needs compared to the 78% of children who are covered by some insurance
             36      program;
             37          WHEREAS, consequently, oral health care for this underserved population must
             38      become a priority in the state of Utah; and
             39          WHEREAS, the University of Utah's School of Dentistry, formed in 2012, has declared
             40      its commitment to use its human and physical plant resources to serve these underserved
             41      populations with critical prevention and intervention dental care and to work closely with the
             42      other vested parties to improve the oral health management of these very vulnerable groups:
             43          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
             44      Governor concurring therein, urge that oral health for the underserved population of Utah be
             45      addressed by the cooperative efforts of government, health care training programs, practicing
             46      health care professionals, business and community leaders, and insurance companies.
             47          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor recognize the
             48      University of Utah's School of Dentistry for its commitment to serve these underserved
             49      populations with critical prevention and intervention dental care and to work closely with the
             50      other vested parties to improve the oral health management of these very vulnerable groups.
             51          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the University
             52      of Utah School of Dentistry, the Utah Department of Health, the Utah Medical Association, the
             53      Utah Association of Independent Insurance Agents, and the members of Utah's congressional
             54      delegation.





Legislative Review Note
    as of 1-6-14 1:58 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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