Bill Text: NJ AJR131 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Permanently designates the first Friday in February as "Give Kids a Smile Day" in New Jersey.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-02-12 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee [AJR131 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-AJR131-Introduced.html
No. 131
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 12, 2024
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman CAROL A. MURPHY
District 7 (Burlington)
SYNOPSIS
Permanently designates first Friday in February as "Give Kids a Smile Day" in New Jersey.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution permanently designating the first Friday in February as "Give Kids A Smile Day" in New Jersey.
Whereas, Tooth decay is the number one chronic infectious disease among children in the United States., affecting 42 percent of children aged 2 to 11 years old; and
Whereas, Tooth decay is four times more common than asthma among adolescents aged 14 to 17 years; and
Whereas, The impact of untreated tooth decay goes far beyond oral health. Children with untreated decay and associated toothaches have more school absences, cannot pay attention in school or keep up with their peers academically, and have lower standardized test scores; and
Whereas, In 2002, Doctors. Jeff Dalin and B. Ray Storm held the first Give Kids A SmileŽ (GKAS) event in a dental clinic in St. Louis, Missouri. At that event, nearly 400 children received free dental care; and
Whereas, The American Dental Association recognized that this grassroots effort had the potential to raise national awareness about the importance of oral health to overall health and the staggering need that exists among millions of children who go without dental care; and
Whereas, In 2003, GKAS evolved into a nationwide program and became the American Dental Association's signature access to oral health care program for underserved children; and
Whereas, As a result of the program, thousands of dentists and volunteers provide free oral health education, screenings, and treatment to children who often do not receive the appropriate dental care; and
Whereas, The objectives of GKAS are to: provide oral health education to underserved children and their families throughout the country; provide care and find dental homes for as many underserved children as possible; and raise awareness among the public and policymakers that the lack of access to dental care is a serious problem for many children in the United States; and
Whereas, In the 15 years since the first GKAS event, nearly 5.5 million children have been provided dental care by more than 500,000 volunteers including dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants dental technicians, dental students, teachers, parents, school nurses, and community health professionals; and
Whereas, Since its inception, GKAS events have occurred in all 50 states, providing services from oral health education to clinical treatment to underserved children and their families; and
Whereas, Every year, for the past 14 years, Rowan College at Burlington County's dental hygiene program hosts a GKAS event for children 12 years of age and younger; and
Whereas, The event has helped more than 2,000 children receive free preventive and emergency dental care, including cleanings, fillings, x-rays, and teeth extractions; and
Whereas, The GKAS program is an opportunity to educate families on the importance of oral health care, improve the health of communities by connecting underserved children and their families with dentists, and raise public awareness about the lack of access to dental care in this country and the need to provide oral health care to children in underserved communities; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The first Friday in February shall be permanently designated as "Give Kids A Smile Day" in the State of New Jersey in order to educate families on the importance of oral health care, improve the health of communities by connecting underserved children and their families with dentists, and raise public awareness about the lack of access to dental care in this country and the need to provide oral health care to children in underserved communities.
2. The Governor is respectively requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the first Friday in February as "Give Kids A Smile Day" and calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution permanently designates the first Friday in February as "Give Kids A Smile Day" in New Jersey in order to educate families on the importance of oral health care, improve the health of communities by connecting underserved children and their families with dentists, and raise public awareness about the lack of access to dental care in this country and the need to provide oral health care to children in underserved communities.
