Policy Resolution HHS-15-24

WHEREAS, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) recognizes the importance of oral health to the overall health and well-being of children and adults;

WHEREAS, dental disease, which may affect the teeth, gums, or other tissues and parts of the mouth, is the most common chronic childhood disease in the United States and is five times more prevalent than asthma;

WHEREAS, the U.S. Surgeon General’s report, “Oral Health in America,” stated that although “major improvements have been seen nationally for most Americans, disparities exist in some population groups as classified by age, sex, income, race/ethnicity”;

WHEREAS, more than 14 million children enrolled in Medicaid did not receive any dental service in 2011;
WHEREAS, according to the Department of Health and Human Services about 108 million American adults and children do not have dental insurance, approximately one-third of the American population;

WHEREAS, in 2010, 2.1 million dental-related emergency room visits were estimated to have cost as much as $2.1 billion, according to the American Dental Association;

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also found there are currently 4,900 dental health professional shortage areas, and at least 7,300 additional dentists would be required to meet the needs of the underserved in these dental shortage areas; and

WHEREAS, the National Dental Association has recommended considering workforce development as a determinant of access and increasing people of color and other underrepresented populations in oral health careers, including dental therapy.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) recognizes the need to expand oral health access issues in underserved communities;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NBCSL urges state and local governments to consider emerging workforce models that meet or exceed quality and safety standards, including dental therapy, with scope of practice, supervision, and workforce regulations based on competence, education, training, and safety of services;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NBCSL calls for state laws that allow allied dental personnel to work in a variety of settings under evidence-supported supervision levels, and practice to the full extent of their education and training;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL calls upon the United States Congress to provide full funding for the Alternative Oral Health Workforce Providers Demonstration Grant Program, which would provide grants to public universities, community colleges, public health departments, and other entities to train and implement additional workforce providers that have been authorized under state law; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and other federal and state government officials as appropriate.

• SPONSORS: Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (SC), Representative Joe Armstrong (TN), and Representative John King (SC)
• Committee of Jurisdiction: Health and Human Services Policy Committee
• Certified by Committee Chair: Senator Willie Simmons (MS)
• Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 12, 2014
• Ratification is certified by: Representative Joe Armstrong (TN), President