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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


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