Action for Dental Health Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to speak on my bipartisan bill, H.R. 2001, the Action for Dental Health Act, to reauthorize vital oral health workforce grants through 2030.

Even though it is entirely preventable, tooth decay remains the most prevalent chronic disease among children and adults in this country. Right now, millions of Americans live in communities with a severe shortage of dental health professionals.

This means that kids are forced to grow up with untreated tooth decay, impacting their ability to eat, play, and learn.

It means that adults are skipping care until a simple cavity becomes an infection and an infection becomes an emergency room visit.

It means that seniors are forced to live with toothlessness or chronic dental pain with potentially life-threatening consequences.

Dental health is often an indication of overall health, which is why we must address the barriers to these services and ensure that everyone has access to reliable care. The more we can address early diagnosis, intervention, and preventative dental treatments, the better off our patients and our healthcare system will be.

The Action for Dental Health Act reauthorizes vital funds to grow the oral health workforce, support oral health education, and establish dental homes. Passing this bill is a major step forward. By supporting local organizations and strengthening existing resources, we will expand oral healthcare in underserved communities, reducing dental disease and preventing costly emergency room visits.

I thank my colleague Congressman Mike Simpson of Idaho for his work on this bill. As one of a handful of dentists in Congress, I thank him for his expertise and partnership on such an important effort. I have been proud to work with my colleagues on oral health issues since 2013. I am glad to see bipartisan support on such a critical issue.

Mr. Speaker, let's act now to ensure every American in need has access to quality dental health services.

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