S.C.R. 3
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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
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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