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8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This concurrent resolution addresses the oral health of the state's at-risk populations and
11 recognizes the valuable service contributed by Utah dental students.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This resolution:
14 ▸ urges cooperative efforts between the Utah American Student Dental Association
15 Chapter and the Roseman American Student Dental Association Chapter to
16 continue improving the oral health of the state's at-risk populations; and
17 ▸ recognizes the Utah American Student Dental Association Chapter and the
18 Roseman American Student Dental Association Chapter as valuable resources to the
19 state.
20 Special Clauses:
21 None
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23 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
24 WHEREAS, oral health, as defined by the World Dental Federation, includes the ability
25 to speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew, swallow, and convey a range of emotions through
26 facial expressions with confidence and without pain, discomfort, and disease of the craniofacial
27 complex;
28 WHEREAS, poor oral health can lead to systemic disease, loss of oral function, damage
29 to bone or nerves, tooth loss, psychological distress, or death;
30 WHEREAS, oral health care is essential for comprehensive medical management,
31 particularly in at-risk populations, including, but not limited to, children, the elderly, and
32 socioeconomically disadvantaged citizens of Utah;
33 WHEREAS, many individuals comprising the at-risk populations of Utah suffer from
34 poor oral health and its consequences due to poor access to quality care, insufficient
35 understanding of oral health, and inadequate resources;
36 WHEREAS, according to the Utah Department of Health, 52% of six- to nine-year-old
37 children experience caries, and 17% of children have untreated dental decay;
38 WHEREAS, the American Dental Association's Healthy Policy Institute states that
39 approximately 25% of adults avoid smiling, feel embarrassed, or experience anxiety due to the
40 condition of their mouth and teeth; and
41 WHEREAS, it is the mission of the Utah American Student Dental Association Chapter
42 and Roseman American Student Dental Association Chapter to promote prevention of oral
43 disease and provide access to quality dental intervention, specifically to at-risk populations:
44 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
45 Governor concurring therein, urges that oral health for the underserved population of Utah be
46 addressed by the cooperative efforts of the Utah American Student Dental Association Chapter
47 and Roseman American Student Dental Association Chapter.
48 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor recognize the
49 Utah American Student Dental Association Chapter and the Roseman American Student
50 Dental Association Chapter as resources the state can use to improve the oral health of the
51 underserved populations in Utah.
52 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the University
53 of Utah School of Dentistry, the Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Dental
54 Medicine, the Utah Department of Health, the Utah Medical Association, the Utah Dental
55 Association, the Utah Association of Independent Insurance Agents, and the members of Utah's
56 congressional delegation.