Assembly Resolution No. 846

BY: M. of A. Rules (Byrne)

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
March 20, 2022, as Oral Health Day in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days that are set aside to increase awareness of health issues
that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 20, 2022, as Oral
Health Day, in conjunction with the observance of World Oral Health Day;
and

WHEREAS, Celebrated each year on March 20th, Oral Health Day
recognizes the importance of oral health as a part of overall health and
supporting efforts to improve the oral health of all in New York State;
and

WHEREAS, Oral health is a critical component of overall health
affecting speech, nutrition, growth and function, social development,
employability and productivity, and quality of life; and

WHEREAS, Untreated dental disease is linked to adverse health
outcomes associated with diabetes, stroke, heart disease, bacterial
pneumonia, preterm and low birth weight deliveries, and in some
instances, death; and

WHEREAS, Oral diseases affect 3.5 billion people globally, of which
90% of the ailments belong to tooth decay; and

WHEREAS, Oral Health Day is a day for dentists and oral hygienists
to use various platforms to educate people on achieving good oral
hygiene and expanding on different treatments; and

WHEREAS, Ancient Egyptian and Chinese texts have revealed that
cultures have maintained the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene
for decades now; from using primitive tools like porcupine quills, fish
bones, or feathers to slightly advanced use of tree barks; in one form
or the other, oral health has been essential in all cultures; and

WHEREAS, In China, by the 1400s, the people started making bristles
plucked from cold climate pigs, fixed them to some bone or wood, and
used them as toothbrushes; during the same time in Europe, salt was
mixed in a solution of brandy and water, and it was used to rinse clean
the mouth, and then some sponge was used to rub the teeth to remove
anything stuck between the teeth; and

WHEREAS, Even though advancements were made in oral health, there
were people who did not care about oral hygiene, and diseases began to
emerge for which there was no cure; traditional herbs were used to
manage the ailments, but it was not until 1880 nurses started providing
prophylaxis treatment to prevent disease; and


WHEREAS, Shortly thereafter, dentists used specific techniques to
treat dental and oral conditions; and

WHEREAS, In their 100-plus years of existence, Federation Dentaire
International (F.D.I) has actively promoted and emphasized the value of
oral health and hygiene; in 2013, they established World Oral Health Day
to raise awareness for importance of maintaining good oral hygiene; and

WHEREAS, Since then, every year's Oral Health Day has followed a
specific theme; this year's theme is "Be Proud of Your Mouth"; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this health issue, and more must be done to increase activity at the
local, state and national levels to improve health and healthcare
outcomes for those affected by dental disease; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 20, 2022, as Oral
Health Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.