Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. McBride on behalf of all Senators & Rep. Keeley & Rep. Schwartzkopf on behalf of all Representatives

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

149th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 55

COMMENDING THE DELAWARE STATE DENTAL SOCIETY ON ITS ACHIEVEMENTS WITH THE 15TH ANNUAL GIVE KIDS A SMILE PROGRAM AND RECOGNIZING ITS CONTINUING EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE DENTAL HEALTH OF DELAWARE'S CHILDREN.

WHEREAS, on Saturday, February 10, 2018, the Delaware State Dental Society (“DSDS”) held its 15th annual Give Kids a Smile Program; and

WHEREAS, the 2018 Give Kids a Smile Program was a rousing success, with over 159 volunteers and 6 organizations serving 247 children in Delaware; and

WHEREAS, 40 dentists, 51 hygienists, 31 technicians, 9 auxiliary staff, and 28 Delaware Technical and Community College students volunteered for the 2018 Give Kids a Smile Program; and

WHEREAS, through the 2018 Give Kids a Smile Program, DSDS was able to provide $161,286 in free dentistry services to Delaware’s children; and

WHEREAS, Patterson Dental and DENTSPLY donated over $11,500 in equipment and supplies; and

WHEREAS, DSDS has served over 1,625 children through the annual Give Kids a Smile Program and over 1,000 dentists, hygienists, technicians, auxiliary staff, and Delaware Technical and Community College students have volunteered to make a difference in Delaware’s oral healthcare; and

WHEREAS, with the support of the ADA Foundation’s Give Kids a Smile program, launched nationally by the American Dental Association in 2003, more than 5 million underserved children have received free oral health services over the last 15 years. These free services are provided by approximately 10,000 dentists annually, along with 30,000 other dental team members. This year’s event was coordinated by the Office of Graylyn Dental in Wilmington; the Office of Dental Associates of Delaware in Middletown; and the Office of Dr. Douglas Ditty in Dover, of the Delaware State Dental Society; and

WHEREAS, through the Give Kids a Smile Program, children and their parents are educated that oral disease is preventable and are provided with literature so that families could establish a dental home; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly supports the DSDS in its efforts to help Delaware’s children.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 149 ^th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that we commend the Delaware State Dental Society for the achievements of the 15th Annual Give Kids a Smile Program and wish the Delaware State Dental Society continuing success in their 16th Annual Program scheduled for February 2019.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be prepared by the Secretary of the Senate and presented to the Delaware State Dental Society upon its passage.